By Rajendra Jadhav MUMBAI (Reuters) -Monsoon rains hit the coast of India's southernmost state of Kerala on Saturday, eight days earlier than usual, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years and providing the promise of a bumper harvest and relief from a gruelling heatwave.

The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival on the Indian mainland since 2009, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to the IMD, the Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of the south Arabian Sea,

The monsoon, a weather phenomenon that waters more than half of India’s farmland, reached the subcontinent before the usual time, boosting crop outlook and raising hopes the nation will lift remaining curbs on exports of farm goods.