After enduring an intense heatwave and an unusually delayed southwest monsoon, Delhi and several parts of north India are expected to receive much-needed rainfall within the next five to six days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weather department said conditions have become favourable for the monsoon to advance further into northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi. Private weather forecaster Skymet also predicted that the monsoon could reach the national capital by July 4 if weather conditions continue to remain supportive.
Meteorologists attributed the delay to the interaction between dry westerly winds from Pakistan and moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea. The clash of these air masses has increased humidity and temperatures without producing widespread rainfall.
Delhi continued to experience extreme weather on Sunday, recording a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at 31.1 degrees Celsius, more than three degrees above normal. The city’s “feels-like” temperature touched nearly 50.7 degrees Celsius during the evening due to high humidity.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain and gusty winds for Monday, offering residents some respite from the prolonged heat.
Elsewhere, Uttar Pradesh is expected to continue experiencing severe heatwave conditions over the next two days, although isolated thunderstorms are also likely in eastern districts.
In Himachal Pradesh, a fresh western disturbance is expected to bring widespread rainfall until July 4, while Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness pre-monsoon showers and isolated heavy rain in the coming days.
With monsoon activity gradually strengthening, weather officials expect temperatures across north India to ease significantly as rainfall spreads further into the region.