Delhi may soon get a break from the relentless heat as the southwest monsoon is expected to arrive nearly 10 days ahead of schedule, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Traditionally, the monsoon reaches the capital around June 30, but this year it might set in as early as the third week of June.
After a brief lull of almost 10 days, the monsoon has picked up pace again, especially over South India. States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Konkan, and Maharashtra have been experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall since Wednesday. This fresh surge in the monsoon system indicates that it is moving swiftly northward, ready to cover other parts of the country soon.
In its latest update, the IMD said the second phase of the monsoon will spread to eastern India next week, soaking West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Following this, the rain clouds are expected to advance towards western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and finally reach Delhi between June 19 and 25.
Signs of the approaching monsoon are already visible in Delhi, with rising humidity levels and predictions of scattered pre-monsoon thunderstorms in the coming days. This change in weather is much awaited by residents who have been struggling with extreme heat.
On Thursday, Delhi’s maximum temperature soared past 43°C, remaining a few degrees above normal as it has for the past two weeks. Heatwave warnings have been regularly issued during this period, making daily life difficult for many.
However, relief is on the horizon. According to the IMD, from June 14 to 17, temperatures in Delhi are expected to drop to between 37°C and 42°C, along with light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds. These weather changes are likely to ease the discomfort caused by the recent intense heatwave.
As the capital waits for the cool showers of the monsoon, residents can look forward to much-needed respite from the sweltering summer.