Delhi’s Getting Drenched Early: Monsoon Books a Prepaid Arrival for June 22

 

Delhi is gearing up for an early start of the monsoon, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) ensuring that the southwest monsoon would make its entry in the capital by June 22—much in advance of the normal date of June 30. The early arrival would bring relief from the merciless heatwave that gripped the city as well as the rest of North India.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠The IMD predicted that the monsoon would advance over Delhi and Haryana and Punjab regions between June 20 and 22, after a quick forward march following a temporary lull during the first half of June.

 

•⁠  ⁠Delhi has already seen light pre-monsoon showers and a noticeable drop in temperatures, with additional widespread rain predicted next week.

 

•⁠  ⁠The early onset of the monsoon comes after its record-early arrival in Kerala on May 24, its quickest since 2009, and rapid march across Maharashtra and the northeast by end-May.

 

•⁠  ⁠Heatwave conditions, with the temperature rising to 43°C, are likely to ease with the onset of rains, to the relief of the population.

 

•⁠  ⁠The IMD prediction is for above-average rain across most of India during this time, although some isolated parts of the northwest will get below-average rain.

 

Prospects: With the monsoon coming in almost a week earlier than expected, Delhi residents can look forward to breezy days and better air quality. The rains during the pre-monsoon season will also be good for agriculture and water bodies, although the IMD warns against possible thunderstorms and local flooding in the days to come.

 

Source: India TV News, Economic Times, India Today