The southwest monsoon finally arrived in Delhi on Thursday, July 2, five days after its normal onset date of June 27, bringing widespread rain and much-needed relief from the scorching heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the monsoon reached the capital on Thursday, marking a delay that has not been seen since 2017.
Monsoon arrival history
According to IMD officials, the last time the monsoon reached Delhi on July 2 was in 2016 and 2017. Last year, the monsoon arrived on June 29, closer to the normal date. The delay this year has been attributed to weak monsoon currents and the absence of a strong low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
Rainfall and temperature details
Light to moderate rain lashed several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) early on Thursday morning. The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded 4.6 mm of rainfall until Thursday morning. Other stations recorded: Ayanagar 5 mm, Lodhi Road 4.1 mm, Mayur Vihar 3.5 mm, Ridge 3 mm, Raj Ghat 2.2 mm, and Palam 1.9 mm.
The maximum temperature at Safdarjung settled at 33 degrees Celsius, which is 4.4 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 22.8 degrees Celsius, 5.1 degrees below normal. The drop in temperatures provided significant relief from the heatwave conditions that had prevailed in the region.
Yellow alert issued
The IMD issued a yellow alert for Thursday, forecasting generally cloudy skies with intermittent spells of moderate rain and strong surface winds. A yellow alert has also been issued for Friday, indicating the likelihood of continued rainfall activity. The department has advised residents to be cautious of waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
According to the IMD, the monsoon is expected to remain active over the region for the next few days, with more rainfall predicted. This will help bridge the rainfall deficit that Delhi has been facing this season.
Impact on residents
The rain brought cheer to Delhiites who had been enduring high temperatures and humidity. Many were seen enjoying the cool weather, with pigeons cuddling in the rain as captured by Tribune photographer Mukesh Aggarwal. The rain also helped improve air quality, which had deteriorated due to dust and heat.
However, the sudden downpour also caused waterlogging in some low-lying areas, leading to traffic jams. The Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to plan their journeys accordingly.
