The southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala on the 30th of this month—two days before its normal onset date in the coastal state. <br/>Earth Sciences Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters in New Delhi on Friday that the much-awaited seasonal rain is expected to bring showers to the Andaman Sea by May 20. The onset of monsoon over the Andaman Sea sets the stage for the rainy season that powers the trillion-dollar economy of the country with agriculture as its prime engine of growth.<br/> <br/>Last month, the IMD had forecast normal monsoon rains for the season beginning June 1.<br/> <br/>The normal monsoon forecast is expected to bring cheer to over 235 million farmers who had faced drought last year due to failed monsoon.<br/> <br/>A good monsoon could help sowing of rice, sugarcane, soybean and corn, and lead to a rebound in the agricultural output.<br/> <br/>Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, claimed that the IMD has been issuing accurate forecast on the onset of monsoon over Kerala for the past five years using an indigenously developed statistical model.<br/>Another favourable parameter for a normal monsoon was the end of the El Nino event for the year.<br/>Weather scientists now expect the La Nina conditions to develop which are known to be favourable to the Indian monsoon.<br/>On the other hand, heatwave continues to sweep several parts of the country as temperature touched 45 degree celsius at many places. Churu in Rajasthan sizzled at a high of 45.8 degree celsius. The Met department said the mercury settled at 43.4 degrees in Jodhpur. <br/> <br/>In Punjab and Haryana, the heat wave intensified with daytime tempertures being up to five degrees above normal forcing people to stay indoors.<br/>The Met office said Hisar was the hottest in Haryana at a high of 45 degrees. <br/> <br/>Light showers accompanied by winds in some parts of the national capital on Friday night brought down the mercury by a few degrees. However, day temperature in Delhi hovered over 43 degree celsius.<br/> <br/>In Andhra Pradesh, three persons died due to sun stroke taking the toll to over 130 this season in the country. Andhra Pradesh Health and Disaster Management departments have been put on alert. Chief Minister K Rosaiah directed officials of both departments to launch a campaign advising people on precautions against the summer heat.<br/>