PANJIM: The arrival of the southwest monsoon over Goa has been delayed and it is expected to reach the State early next week. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa had earlier predicted its arrival by June 6.

Goa experienced heavy pre-monsoon rains and gusty winds due to cyclone Nisarga. Over 140mm of rainfall was received in the last two days. The southwest monsoon currents set over Kerala on June 1.

IMD Goa observatory scientist Rahul Mohan said the monsoon will hit the State in the first half of next week. “Features over Arabian Sea, with enhanced rainfall activity over west coast are developing from June 7 and around the same time a low pressure area is likely to form over Bay of Bengal,” he said.

He said these conditions are likely to advance the monsoon currents to Goa and probably to some parts of South Konkan by the first half of next week.

Responding to a question, Mohan said the development of a system like Nisarga helped the onset of monsoon over Andaman and Kerala.

June 5-6 is the normal date for monsoon onset over Goa. Last year. the monsoon was delayed by 14 days, arriving in Goa on June 21.