Thiruvananthapuram: The southwest monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala on May 26, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest forecast on Friday.

According to the IMD, the onset may vary by four days either side of the predicted date. The monsoon typically reaches Kerala around June 1 each year, marking the official start of the southwest monsoon season in India, which lasts from June to September.

Once it sets in over Kerala, the monsoon progresses northwards, covering the rest of the country over the following weeks.

Last year, the monsoon arrived earlier than usual, making its onset over Kerala on May 24, the weather department said.