The southwest monsoon, crucial for agriculture, hit Kerala today, with a senior official saying that the four-day delay was not a cause for worry.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said monsoon rains had enveloped the entire southern state, bringing all-round cheer.

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The monsoon accounts for 80 percent of the rainfall in India. Even a minor delay can adversely affect the economy as about half of India's farm output comes from crops sown during the June-September rainy season.

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IMD director general LS Rathore said that the monsoon was expected to advance rapdily into other parts of the country.

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Kerala gets the annual monsoon rains on June 1, marking the start of weeks of showers in the Indian mainland.

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Last year, however, the monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 29.u00a0

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Rathore, however, said there was nothing to panic about the delayed rains as the four day delay was well within the forecast limits.u00a0

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