The normal monsoon onset date over Kerala is June 1, and the withdrawal date is September 30, according to IMD. IMD director general, M Mohapatra, said the new dates will be announced in April, and will apply from this year. Rajeevan pointed out that the changed dates were recommended by meteorologists in the past as well, but they never got IMD’s approval. Rajeevan, however, said it was not possible to immediately link the changes in monsoon dates to the climate crisis; it could be a change in monsoon cycle also. The weather department said it was the most delayed withdrawal in the past 58 years (since 1961).

Source: Hindustan Times January 15, 2020 22:07 UTC