India, May 16 -- The southwest monsoon is set to hit Kerala six days earlier than the usual June 1 date. The India Meteorological Department has pegged the onset of the monsoon on May 26.

According to the weather department, conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands within 24 hours. Further, heavy rains are expected along the southern parts of the west coast on May 28.

However, despite the early onset and expected extensive rainfall, it is not certain whether the country will receive sufficient rains, given the emergence of an El Nino, which could undercut the season well before it reaches peak intensity.

The weather department's firs...