The upcoming weekend in the national Capital and surrounding areas promises to be enjoyable for Delhiites with the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon bringing much-needed rain and relief from the heat wave conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that pre-monsoon showers are anticipated from Friday with the Southwest Monsoon expected to reach the National Capital Territory of Delhi, bringing heavy showers over the weekend.
According to the latest updates from IMD, the monsoon has reached the border of Uttar Pradesh by Tuesday. In Delhi the monsoon is expected to arrive by June 29.
Private weather agency Skymet too said, the capital and suburbs can expect some heavy showers during the weekend. Pre-monsoon showers are likely over Delhi till the arrival of the monsoon over the weekend, Skymet said. Delhi has witnessed nearly drought-like conditions in the pre-monsoon months of March, April, and May as rainfall was below normal by 75%, 54% and 99% respectively, it said.
On the similar line, the IMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in Delhi and adjoining areas from June 26 to 28, signaling the onset of monsoon activity in northern India. On Wednesday, amid ongoing sultry weather conditions, Delhi experienced light rains with the minimum temperature settling at 31.6 degrees Celsius, 3.7 notches above the season's normal, according to the IMD. It said the city's humidity level stood at 62 per cent at 8.30 am. The rainy weather is expected to prevail over the national capital till July 1, according to the IMD's seven-day forecast. It said the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius.
Delhi had experienced significant rainfall deficits in March, April, and May, with below-normal rainfall by substantial margins. In Delhi these days, amidst the rumble of clouds, there is a suffocating heat and stagnation in air due to high humidity. Additionally, there is no breeze, which is causing discomfort to people.
The city's record-breaking heat wave spells in the past three months with high intensity in the past few days has clocked a death toll of 275, with an additional 29 deaths recently. Among the victims, 154 people were "brought dead to various hospitals," underscoring the gravity of the situation while prompting the health authorities to issue a slew of measures to check casualties and heat-related illness.
Regarding the weather situation elsewhere, the IMD said the Southwest Monsoon is expected to make headway into additional regions of the North Arabian Sea, bringing rainfall to several areas in central Maharashtra, Goa, Konkan, and Karnataka from June 26.
Isolated very heavy rainfall is likely over parts of Uttarakhand on June 28 and 29, as per the weather department. The Southwest Monsoon also reached Rajasthan on Tuesday, according to the Met.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, South Interior Karnataka, and Coastal Karnataka are also likely to experience a wet spell from June 25 to June 26. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Gujarat will also see increased metrological activity in the coming days.
