Bhubaneswar, June 3 -- A developing weather system over the Arabian Sea is raising hopes for the long-awaited arrival of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, while thunderstorms continue to impact large parts of India and heat wave conditions intensify in the eastern region. The most significant weather development is unfolding off the Kerala coast, where a mid-level cyclonic vortex has formed over the southeastern Arabian Sea.

Meteorologists believe the system will play a crucial role in enhancing moisture flow towards India's southwest coast, leading to increased pre-monsoon rainfall and thunderstorm activity across Kerala and south Karnataka in the coming days.

As the vortex gradually shifts northward, atmospheric conditions are expect...