Monsoon may hit Delhi by July 2, light rain likely till June 30

Monsoon may hit Delhi either on July 1 or July 2 — a couple of days after the scheduled date.

“Monsoon winds usually reach Delhi on June 29. This year, it is expected to reach by the end of this week,” said BP Yadav, director, India Meteorological Department.

The wind system, which brings rain to the Indian subcontinent, reached India a week late earlier this month.

The monsoon, unlike the previous two years, is expected to be above normal, especially in the north-western region.

A strong El Nino — an ocean current which is blamed by many for India’s poor monsoon — had pushed India into drought in 2014 and 2015. The phenomenon has grown weaker this year.

Delhi has been witnessing warm and muggy days for the past week, with barely any rain thrown in. According to the Met department, pre-monsoon showers are expected by Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the seven-day forecast, there is a possibility of scattered light rain in the city till June 30. Starting July, widespread rain is expected.

On Monday, the maximum temperature was recorded as 39.6 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. The minimum was recorded as 30 degrees Celsius, also two degrees above normal.

The humidity oscillated between 79% and 49%, making the day uncomfortable and muggy.

According to Met officials, the city is expected to see a clear day on Tuesday. Light rains could be seen in the evening.

The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be between 39 and 30 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, the maximum temperature was recorded as 39.4 degrees Celsius.

Taken from HT

Rain 13% above normal in INDIA

The monsoon has got off to a good start after a slightly delayed onset, with widespread showers over the past five days taking the countrywide rain tally to 13% above normal so far this month.

The surge in rain has been aided by a favourable weather system in the Indian Ocean that is expected to last another 4-5days, a senior Met official said.

The northern limit of the monsoon currently cuts through the Southern tip of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, southern Odisha and eastern part of Bengal.  IMD officials expect the monsoon to cover more parts of Odisha and Bengal  and enter Bihar and Jharkhand in the next 3-4 days.

A top IMD scientist said a rain-bearing system called the Madden Julian Oscillation was passing through the Indian Ocean and had energized the Bay of Bengal arm of Monsson.

"MJO is likely to continue bringing rain for the next four days or so before it moves towards the western Pacific" he said.