The Southwest monsoon this year is expected to arrive earlier than expected. The IMD forecast suggested that the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea and the adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around May 15. The officials said if it so happens the monsoon is expected to hit the Kerala coast early and also various states including Jharkhand, ahead of its normal time.

“Under normal circumstances, the southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala on June 1. However, this year it is expected to arrive one week earlier, as its advancement is happening early into the Bay of Bengal,” explained a senior IMD official at the New Delhi office.

He also added that the satellite pictures suggested that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is expected to receive their first seasonal showers of the year on May 15.

According to the senior Met official, cyclone Asani which impacted eastern India with widespread rains and gusty winds has helped in pulling the monsoon currents into the Bay of Bengal much early.

Rain caused by the recent Cyclone Asani in Jamshedpur, earlier this week.

As per IMD's latest weather forecast, the remnants of cyclonic storm Asani over coastal Andhra Pradesh weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over the same region on Thursday.

The early onset of monsoon could bring cheer as most parts of the country are experiencing intense heatwave conditions.

The officials have not given any particular date on which the monsoon rain may advance to Jharkhand and its neighbouring states like Bengal and Bihar.

But he said if favourable conditions prevail the southwest monsoon was expected to arrive in Jharkhand and other eastern states by June 10.

Meanwhile, the cool winds and rain due to the cyclone Asani had brought much-needed respite from extreme temperatures but the Celsius surge is set to return in Jharkhand.

IMD's Ranchi Met Centre on Friday afternoon issued a forecast of a two to three degree Celsius rise in maximum temperature in most parts of the state during the next 72- hours.

On Friday, Met data suggested the rising trend in maximum reading in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Daltonganj, Dhanbad, Bokaro and several other places.