Conditions favourable for onset of monsoon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Monsoon-like weather prevailed over Thiruvananthapuram, the gateway of the southwest monsoon into the Indian subcontinent, on Monday, with the city and its neighbouring areas receiving a steady drizzle punctuated by pattering bouts of rainfall since noon.

The whole of the State too received rainfall during the day, heavy in some places. A low pressure system was in position over the Lakshadweep Islands drawing rain clouds to the region.

The winds have still not started flowing from the west or southwest into the States coast for the initial establishment of the monsoon current over the subcontinent. The northern limit of this streamlined seasonal flow from the Indian Ocean had been passing through a point around 500 km south of the southern end of the State since Friday.