The southwest monsoon has finally set in over Kerala and Lakshadweep, a senior India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said on Wednesday.
K. Santhosh, director at the IMD office here, said "good rains" were expected in the coming days across Kerala.
As per the norm, Met officials assess the data recorded at 14 weather stations in Lakshadweep, Kerala and Mangalore from May 10 onwards.
The southwest monsoon normally hits Kerala around June 1.
It advances northwards, usually in surges, and covers the entire country by around July 15.
In its evening weather bulletin, the IMD pointed out that the southwest monsoon had further advanced over many parts of south Arabian sea, most parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, some parts of south interior Karnataka, remaining parts of south Bay of Bengal and some more parts of Central Bay of Bengal.
In Kerala, Alappuzha district on Wednesday received a heavy rainfall of 15cm, Kollam 13cm while in some places in the capital district it was 10cm.
Following the heavy rains at Kollam, the district authorities declared a holiday in educational institutions on Thursday.
At Alappuzha, many homes in the coastal areas were flooded and so was Vizhinjam near here.
Authorities have warned people not to visit hilly areas due to fears of landslides.
Local resident Sumathy Krishnan, a 52 - year - old homemaker, said it was after a very long time that she was experiencing the monsoon.
"It's simply marvellous.
I am overjoyed by the rains I am experiencing in all its beauty.
Even though some may not like the rains because it becomes messy, I am feeling really rejuvenated by this phenomenon, " said Krishnan who stayed in the Middle East with her husband for more than two decades.
Last year, while the IMD forecast the onset of southwest monsoon on May 30, it actually set on June 5.