Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, July 2

Heatwave conditions will persist in the national capital on Friday with the weather office forecasting that the maximum temperature will hover around 41 degrees Celsius.

Partly cloudy sky with along with heatwave conditions are forecast at isolated places. There is a possibility of dust storm or thunderstorm accompanied with very light rain and gusty winds towards the evening or night.

The minimum temperature on Friday morning was recorded at 27.2 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average.

The relative humidity at 8.30 am was 25 per cent.

The national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the highest in July since 2012, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) saying there is "no chance" of monsoon reaching the city till July 7.

The minimum temperature had settled at 31.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The last time monsoon arrived so late in Delhi was in 2012.

The weather department said the delay in the arrival of the wind system is likely to impact agricultural operations such as sowing and transplantation of crops, irrigation scheduling and power requirements in the region, including Punjab and Haryana – the food bowl of the country.

"The monsoon has covered most of the country except parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Since June 19, no progress has been observed. Mid-latitude westerly winds, unfavourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and absence of a low-pressure system over North Bay of Bengal are some of the reasons," the IMD said.

According to the IMD, northwest India has received 14 per cent excess rainfall -- 85.7 mm rainfall against the normal of 75.3 mm since June 1, when the monsoon season starts.

Chandigarh to get rain 

Chandigarh residents can expect some respite from the hot weather for three days as the monsoon is likely to become active again. Partly cloudy conditions with light rain are expected for three days — July 2 to 4. There is a prediction of a dust storm, accompanied by gusty winds blowing at a speed of about 40 kmph.

The maximum temperature recorded in the city today was 40.8°C, five degrees above normal, while the minimum was 28.4°C, four degrees above normal. 

with PTI inputs