India, May 20 -- The southwest monsoon is likely to make its onset over Kerala during the next four to five days, much earlier than the usual date of June 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.

If the monsoon arrives in Kerala before time, it will be the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it began on May 23, according to IMD data. The weather department had earlier forecast the onset by May 27.

"Conditions are also likely to become favourable for further advancement of southwest monsoon over some more parts of South Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives and Comorin area, some parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, some more parts South and Central Bay of Bengal, Northeast Bay of Be...