The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced the arrival of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, marking the official beginning of India`s four-month rainy season, reported the PTI. The monsoon reached Kerala on June 4, a few days later than its usual onset date of 1 June. Earlier forecasts had suggested the monsoon would arrive as early as May 26, but its progress was delayed. According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has now advanced across the entire Lakshadweep region, Kerala and Mahe, as well as parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The weather system has also expanded over large sections of the Arabian Sea, the Comorin area and several parts of the Bay of Bengal, indicating a steady progression across the country. The arrival of the monsoon in Kerala is closely watched as it signals the start of the crucial June to September rainfall season, which is vital for agriculture, water resources and the wider economy. IMD revises rainfall forecast Last week, the weather department revised its seasonal rainfall outlook, forecasting below-normal rainfall for the …