The much-awaited southwest monsoon is likely to set over Kerala in the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.


The IMD had earlier predicted the monsoon's onset over the state on May 30, with an error margin of four days.


"The conditions are favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon in Kerala within the next 24 hours. It will be declared on the basis of the data recorded at 14 weather stations, the amount of rains received, wind pattern and cloud formation," K Santosh, director of IMD told the Times of India.


A section of climatologists, however, felt the monsoon could be further delayed due to the El Nino effect. They predicted that the state would receive the first shower of the season on June 8.


In its latest forecast, IMD indicated that there was 33% probability of deficient rains during the monsoon season from June to September.


It also indicated 90% probability of El Nino conditions to continue during the southwest monsoon season.