Monsoon rains may reach the mainland in southern state of Kerala during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department, IMD, said on its website on Tuesday.

The weather office also said on Monday that the monsoon has advanced into some parts of Arabian Sea.

In India, where agriculture and farming account for 15% of the $2tn economy, timely and sufficient rainfall is extremely crucial as 55% of the arable land depends on rains for water needs.