Showers cool Delhi, but it’s not monsoon

NEW DELHI: A short but intense spell of pre-monsoon rain was recorded in several parts of the capital on Wednesday. It brought down the maximum temperature to 34.2 degrees Celsius, which was five degrees below normal. While the monsoon is still a few days away, India Meteorological Department forecasts the possibility of very light rain on Thursday as well. Another spell of rain is expected on June 19 and 20.
“Large scale atmospheric conditions are not favourable for further advancement of monsoon into Rajasthan, remaining parts of Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. However, there could be slow progress into some more parts of Uttar Pradesh during the next five days in association with the existing cyclonic circulation over east Uttar Pradesh in the lower levels,” said IMD’s daily monsoon bulletin.
While the Met department had earlier forecast monsoon rains to reach Delhi by June 15, its progress has slowed down considerably over the last 48 hours.
Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist at IMD, says little rain activity is currently occurring in west and east Uttar Pradesh. “For Sunday, we have a yellow alert at the moment. So far, these are pre-monsoon showers,” said Srivastava.
While no rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, Delhi’s base station, Pitampura recorded 24.5mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Najafgarh, Pusa and Palam stations also received short but intense spells of rain, recording 0.5, 0.5 and 0.9mm of rainfall, respectively, during this period.
The Met department forecasts parts of Delhi to receive a drizzle on Thursday with the maximum likely to settle around 37 degrees.