The Southwest monsoon hit Kerala and the North East today, two days before its normal onset date.

Director General of the India Meteorological Department K J Ramesh said monsoon has hit Indian peninsula as Cyclone Mora aided the advancement of the seasonal rainfall.

Kerala received intermittent to good pre-monsoon showers since last night as the southwest monsoon nears the Indian peninsula. Heavy rains lashed several parts of north Kerala including Kannur and Kasaragod.

The normal onset date for monsoon to hit the Kerala coast, which marks its official arrival in the country is first of June.

The MeT department had predicted rains were likely to begin in Kerala by May 30-31, which would mark the arrival of monsoon in India. On April 18, 2017, in its first forecast, the The India Meteorological Department, IMD pegged this year’s monsoon rain at 96% of the 50-year average of 89 cm for the four-month season from June to September.

It also indicated that the threat to the monsoon from El Nino may have receded. However, it is not clear yet if this will lead to improved rainfall. The IMD officials said it will update its numbers in June when the picture is likely to get clearer.