New Delhi

 The southwest monsoon has made further progress, advancing into several parts of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar region, according to the India Meteorological Department on Saturday.

The weather department said the monsoon has now covered parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, the southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the entire Nicobar Islands, and sections of the Andaman Islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram.

According to the IMD, all meteorological parameters required for the seasonal system to advance into these regions have been successfully met.

The department also said weather conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to progress further over additional parts of the southeast Arabian Sea as well as the southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal over the next three to four days.

The remaining areas of the Andaman Islands and Andaman Sea, along with parts of the east-central Bay of Bengal, are also likely to witness the advance of the monsoon during this period, the weather office said.

On Friday, the IMD had forecast that the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala around May 26, earlier than its normal onset date of June 1, which traditionally marks the beginning of India’s four-month monsoon season.

READ MORE: Najma Akhtar: Ex-VC played a key role in shaping India's educational growth

The department has also indicated that India may receive below-normal rainfall during this year’s monsoon, citing the possible development of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which is often associated with weaker monsoon activity over the country.