Onset of monsoon over Kerala has been delayed and is not expected in the next three to five days, the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) said in New Delhi on Monday.

"However, signs are not unfavourable for advance of monsoon," IMD officials said.

Normally monsoon hits Kerala on June one.

The present conditions do not favour any advance of the South-West Monsoon for the next three to five days, the officials said.

The monsoon had entered the South Andaman sea and adjoining South East Bay on May 16, which is about the normal time. After that it moved further to cover the whole of Andaman Sea, parts of South and East central bay, Maldives and nearby areas like southern parts of Sri Lanka.

It is to advance further northward to Kerala, which has not happened, the official said adding the initial delay was due to the disturbed circulation pattern over Bay of Bengal.

Later the circulation pattern over Bay of Bengal had normalised, but the corresponding recovery did not happen over Arabian Sea.

The official said monsoon current over the Araban Sea was weak. The delayed onset over Kerala would have an impact on the onset of rain in the peninsular region, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

"However, for Delhi and other areas nothing can be said as of now," they said.

After hitting the mainland Kerala, the monsoon spans the entire country up to Rajasthan

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Pondicherry June 10. The Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, today called upon scientists to formulate plans that would ensure continuous availability of potable water.

Inaugurating a one-day seminar, organised by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment on `Water Resources Day' here, Mr. Rangasamy said as of now Pondicherry was not facing any problem, but at the same time one should not remain complacent and take matters for granted.

He reiterated the Government stand not to allow chemical industries or factories drawing excessive sub-soil water. He referred to a situation in Mettupalayam industrial estate where one could see huge deposit of effluents. There should be no leniency in taking action against those causing damage to the environment or the water sources. Farmers were also encouraged to take up alternative cropping system to conserve water.

The Secretary to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Narendra Kumar, called upon the people to use the water judiciously.

He asked the participants to come up with recommendations to work out an effective strategy to manage the available water.

The Director, G. Theva Needhi Dhas, said the seminar attracted officials and opinion leaders from different departments and organisations.

Shobhnath, Regional Director of the Central Ground Water Board, Chennai (South Eastern Coastal Region), said excessive drawal of groundwater had resulted in appreciable fall in levels. The lack of regulatory measures in respect of groundwater drawal had led to indiscriminate exploitation and scarcity of water for irrigation and drinking purposes.

Mr. Shobhnath said in Pondicherry and adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu, the groundwater resources had been threatened by a combination of natural and man-made causes. Pollution of groundwater by industrial effluents was another problem, needing immediate attention.

Concerted efforts should be made by various agencies to arrest the over exploitation of groundwater and its pollution.

He said government and non-government agencies should pool in their resources to make rainwater harvesting a mass movement.

Assessment of groundwater resources in the region as per the revised norms of the Ground Water Estimation Committee was under way and this would give a clear picture of present status of groundwater position in the region.

Areas could also be identified for immediate attention for management of the water resources.

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