Bhubaneswar, June 3 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated on Wednesday that the southwest monsoon is likely to make its onset over Kerala within the next 24 hours, marking the beginning of the country's annual rainy season.

Weather conditions are also favourable for the monsoon's further advance into additional parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep Islands, and Tamil Nadu around June 4.

The IMD has forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 20 cm over Kerala during the next six to seven days. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected over parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during the same period.

Taking to its official X handle, the IMD said, "Southwest monsoon is likely to set...