India forecasts arrival of monsoon in Kerala

Southwest monsoon rains are expected to set in over south India's Kerala state on 29 May, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast factors in a deviation of four days from the date that marks the start of the regional monsoon season.

The IMD had previously issued a forecast for a normal monsoon in India this year, which is typically a positive sign for fertilizer consumption.

Seasonal rainfall is likely to be 97pc of the long-period average (LPA), putting the probability of this happening at 42pc. The LPA during 1951-2000 was 89cm.