<span style="color: #222222;">India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that this year the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala is expected on 31st of this month. IMD in a statement said, the forecast comes with a model error deviation of four days. Generally, the normal date for the monsoon onset over the State is 1st of June. IMD said, in the Indian monsoon region, initial monsoon rains are experienced over south Andaman Sea and the monsoon winds then advance in north-westwards across the Bay of Bengal.<br />''<br />''As per the new normal dates of monsoon onset, the southwest monsoon advances over the Andaman Sea around 22nd May.<br />''<br />''The IMD said, at present a Depression has formed over Lakshadweep area and neighbourhood and it is very likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours. The Department said, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach south Gujarat coast in the early hours of 18th May. The cross equatorial flow is very likely to strengthen and deepen over the Bay of Bengal from 20th May and a sustained rainfall activity is likely over the south Bay of Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 21st May. Hence, the monsoon advance over Andaman and Nicobar Islands is very likely around the 21st of this month.</span><br />