Met Dept predicts early, healthy monsoon

New Delhi: Monsoons are likely to hit the Kerala coast nearly 10 days ahead of schedule.

Officials of the Meteorological Department say that the rains could arrive in Kerala any time between May 20 and 25. The monsoon was expected to hit the state by June 1.

The Met Department also predicted last month that the monsoons are likely to be near normal this year.

NASA, meanwhile, has predicted a bumper crop this year in Bihar and nearby areas. That may spell a bit of good news in the light of the food crisis.

Economic Advisory Council's Chairman C Rangarajan also suggested on Wednesday that inflation might come down to six per cent within three months, due to sufficient procurement of food grains – particularly wheat – amid cheerful prognostics for an early and healthy monsoon.