NEW DELHI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast on Wednesday that the monsoon would most likely hit the southern state of Kerala on June 6, a delay of five days.

This year the statistical model forecast suggests that the monsoon onset over Kerala is likely to be slightly delayed. The southwest monsoon onset is likely to set over the state on June 6 with a model error of plus or minus four days, the IMD said.

The onset of monsoon in southern India marks the beginning of the rainy season in the country, even as it progresses northward giving relief to the people from the scorching summer temperatures. Normally, monsoon takes around a month to reach northern India, where maximum temperature during summers (March-June) touches 45 degrees Celsius at times.

The IMD statement further stated, "Conditions are becoming favorable for advance of southwest monsoon over the southern part of Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal during May 18-19."