After days of intense heat across northern India, relief may finally be on the way. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said conditions are becoming favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance further into several northern states over the next five to six days. The forecast comes as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and nearby regions continue to experience scorching temperatures and severe heatwave conditions.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon is expected to advance into more parts of the North Arabian Sea, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and southeast Rajasthan in phases over the coming days. Weather experts believe this progression could bring much-needed rainfall to regions that have been waiting longer than usual for the monsoon.
Delhi Continues to Swelter as Monsoon Arrival Gets Delayed
Delhi recorded its warmest morning in two years, with the minimum temperature reaching 31.1 degrees Celsius, which was 3.2 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature climbed to 41.8 degrees Celsius, while the IMD estimated the “feels-like” temperature at around 50.7 degrees Celsius because of high humidity.
The weather department has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall for the national capital on Monday, offering hope of temporary relief from the oppressive weather. According to private weather agency Skymet, the monsoon is likely to reach Delhi around July 4 if current weather conditions remain favourable.
Skymet’s Vice President for Meteorology and Climate Change, Mahesh Palawat, said the delayed arrival of the monsoon has allowed dry westerly winds from Pakistan to continue raising temperatures, while moisture laden southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea have increased humidity. The interaction between these two air masses has led to cloud formation but not enough moisture for widespread rainfall, causing both temperatures and humidity to remain unusually high.
Heatwave Alert Continues Across Northern States
While the monsoon is expected to advance gradually, the IMD has warned that heatwave conditions, including severe heatwave conditions, may continue over parts of Uttar Pradesh in the coming days. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also likely at isolated places across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
In Himachal Pradesh, the weather department has predicted a wet spell until July 4 due to a fresh western disturbance expected to affect northwest India from July 2. Thunderstorms with gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are expected in isolated areas, although some parts of the state may continue to experience heatwave conditions over the next 24 hours.
Jammu and Kashmir also remained warmer than usual. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius, nearly four degrees above normal, while pre-monsoon showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are expected to bring some relief to the Jammu plains.
The IMD has advised people in heatwave affected regions to remain cautious until rainfall becomes more widespread, as temperatures are expected to stay high before the monsoon fully arrives across northern India.