The southwest monsoon is likely to reach Delhi around its normal onset date of June 27, offering much-needed relief from the prevailing heat and humidity across the National Capital Region (NCR).
The monsoon has established itself over Bihar, bringing widespread rainfall across the state and continuing its gradual advance across eastern India. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon entered parts of Bihar on June 11 and advanced further on June 12. Rainfall activity has remained active since then, with heavy rainfall forecast at isolated locations in the state on June 24.
For June 24, the IMD predicted widespread rainfall along the west coast and across parts of eastern and northeastern India. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan and Goa, Coastal Karnataka, Assam and Meghalaya, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.
The monsoon’s steady progress comes as large parts of north India continue to experience hot and humid conditions, with residents of Delhi and neighbouring areas awaiting relief.
In recent days, the monsoon has advanced into additional parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar. On June 22, it also reached Mumbai, marking a significant stage in its northward journey.
The normal onset date of the southwest monsoon over Delhi is June 27. However, after its advance stalled for nearly two weeks earlier this month, some meteorologists have suggested that the monsoon could arrive later than usual, possibly in early July.
The IMD, however, has not officially revised Delhi’s monsoon onset date and has not indicated any significant delay extending into the second week of July.
Weather experts note that the monsoon’s arrival over Delhi-NCR will depend on the pace of its advance across northwest India in the coming days. Factors such as the strength of monsoon winds, moisture availability and prevailing atmospheric conditions will play a key role in determining the exact onset date.
Given the delayed onset over Kerala, the temporary pause in its advancement and its relatively late arrival in Mumbai, a slight delay in reaching Delhi cannot be ruled out. If favourable conditions persist, the monsoon could arrive around June 27. Any disruption in its progress, however, may push the onset to between July 5 and July 8.
Meanwhile, Delhi and adjoining NCR areas witnessed severe weather on Tuesday as intense dust storms and strong winds disrupted normal life, prompting the IMD to issue a Red Alert for at least three hours.
The weather department warned that adverse conditions could persist during the alert period, with wind speeds potentially reaching 100 kmph in isolated areas. Thunderstorms, lightning and light rainfall were also forecast across parts of the region.
The sudden weather change began around 2:30 p.m. when the IMD issued advisories for Delhi and neighbouring areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Strong gusty winds subsequently swept across the capital, reducing visibility as dense dust clouds engulfed roads, open spaces and residential neighbourhoods.
Meteorologists said the weather event provided temporary relief from the intense heat that had affected the region in recent days. They attributed the storm activity to favourable atmospheric conditions created by above-normal temperatures.
Mumbai, meanwhile, received heavy overnight rainfall as the southwest monsoon strengthened over the financial capital. The IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Palghar for three hours early Wednesday amid continuing heavy showers.
The weather department has also warned of thunderstorms, lightning, intense to very intense rainfall and winds of 40-60 kmph in parts of Maharashtra.
(With inputs from IANS)
