Marya Shakil, New Delhi: God's own country is all set to cherish the celebrations of nature, with the coming of monsoons.

In Kerala, the rains mean not just soothing showers but also great business for the tourist trade.

But the monsoon this year seems to have been choked. Even though the rains arrived on time, they have been 25 per cent less than usual for this time of year. The weatherman has said that it could pick up in the next few days, but not everyone is banking on it.

“Compared to last monsoon this year the rain is very low, but I hope it will get heavier in the coming days” says a Kerala resident, Suresh S.

The skies over Hyderabad are swollen with clouds too. But the rains have been slow in coming. The best the City of the Nizams has got so far is a few scattered thundershowers. Officials say there's about a 60 per cent chance of heavy rains in the next few days.

Similarly in Bangalore, the rains haven't yet opened up. The Meteorological Department says the monsoon is active over coastal Karnataka but still weak in the interiors, like Bangalore.

"It is better than the blazing sun, even though it’s sultry than usual” says a Bangalore resident.

Although it is sunny in Chennai but for the past one week the rain shadow state of Tamil Nadu is experiencing moderate showers which is normal at this time of the year. The Meteorological Department says that monsoon has set in quite early this year. But the real monsoon will set in only by October.

“Rainfall has been good but only in the central southern part. Kerala and those on the costal region have received less rainfall,” says Deputy Director General of Weather Forecasting, Dr A B Mujumdar.

Overall, the south is still waiting for the real face of the monsoon. But so far, it doesn't look like it's coming very soon.