The southwest monsoon is expected to make its onset over the Indian subcontinent at its normal date of June 1, the country's weather bureau said on Thursday.

M. Rajeevan, secretary at the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and a meteorologist says, "Extended Range Forecast suggests monsoon will arrive over Kerala on time, around 1 June. This is an early indication."

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will issue an official monsoon forecast on May 15, he said. "Monsoon 2021 update: India MET department extended range forecast suggests monsoon will arrive over Kerala on time, around 1 June. This is an early indication. India MET department official monsoon forecast on 15 May and rainfall forecast update around May 31," he tweeted.

The southwest monsoon, which brings nearly 75 percent of the country's rainfall, is expected to be normal this year, the IMD said. The Long Period Average will be 98 percent with an error margin of plus and minus 5 percent, it said.

The stage two forecast will be given by the Weather department on May 15, while a detailed update is likely by the end of May when the meteorological situations are clearer as the crucial weather system draws nearer.

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