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Delayed Monsoon Keeps Heat and Humidity High Across NCR (Image: Internet)
New Delhi: Even as the southwest monsoon has advanced across several parts of India, Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to wait for its arrival. The delay has prolonged hot and humid conditions across the region, with daytime temperatures ranging between 38 and 44 degrees Celsius. High moisture levels in the air have made the weather feel significantly hotter, with the heat index touching nearly 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the capital also recorded its warmest morning in the last two years, highlighting the impact of the delayed seasonal rains.
Residents experienced a brief respite on Monday as light showers and thunderstorms swept across parts of Delhi-NCR. The rainfall helped reduce temperatures for a short period after several days of intense heat.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at isolated locations in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab between June 29 and July 1, with another spell of rain expected around July 5. These weather systems may provide intermittent relief, although widespread cooling is likely only after the monsoon fully arrives.
Despite scattered rain, heatwave conditions are expected to persist over parts of Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh through June 30. Weather officials noted that pre-monsoon nights have also remained warmer than usual.
The average minimum temperature between March and June stood at 22.9 degrees Celsius, remaining above the seasonal normal. On Monday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 31.1 degrees Celsius, which was 3.2 degrees above average. June 29 also became the second warmest morning of the month in the past two years.
Private weather agency Skymet has projected that the southwest monsoon could arrive in Delhi around July 4 if atmospheric conditions remain favourable.
According to Skymet Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change) Mahesh Palawat, the monsoon usually reaches Delhi by June 27 or 28. This year, however, dry westerly winds from Pakistan have delayed its progress, while moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea have increased humidity. The combination of dry heat and moisture has kept both temperatures and discomfort levels unusually high across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad.
