A long-awaited low-pressure area has formed over South-East and adjoining Central Bay of Bengal this afternoon, as the countdown for the onset of the monsoon progressed.

The 'low' has helped strengthen the south-westerly monsoon flows over these parts of the Bay. Hence, conditions are favourable for the progress of the monsoon into the southern Comorin as well.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the 'low' is expected to become more 'marked' (grow in intensity) over the the next three-four days.

The evolution of the 'low' would be slow but decisive, according to global models, which see it becoming a monsoon depression, even a cyclone that is eyeing the Bangladesh coast.

The measured pace at which the system would travel across the Bay would ensure gradual progress of the monsoon, as it breaks along the Kerala coast, to upcountry regions.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts too has lately picked up a storm in the making in the Bay, hitting the coast before the end of the month.

Thunderstorm and heavy rain are expected to become pronounced over the South Peninsula, especially over Kerala, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, from tomorrow onwards, the Met said.

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