Delhi sees light rainfall; IMD announces arrival of monsoon

Delhiites have been waiting for the arrival of monsoon for nearly a month, as the IMD first forecasted the arrival of monsoon for June 15, which would have made it the earliest onset of monsoon in Delhi

Parts of Delhi received light rain early Tuesday, marking the much awaited arrival of monsoon in the city. India Meteorological Department (IMD) officially announced that monsoon has advanced over Delhi.

A family covers themselves under a hoarding during the rain as monsoon reaches New Delhi, Tuesday. (PTI)

IMD data shows that till 8.30am, the Safdarjung weather station recorded 2.5mm rainfall, Palam recorded 2.4mm, and the Lodhi Road observatory recorded 19.4mm rainfall.

As the temperature dropped slightly after the early morning showers, the light rain led to an increase in the humidity level in the city. The minimum temperature recorded in the morning was 23.5 degrees Celsius, four degrees below the season’s normal.

Met officials said that even though conditions have been favourable for the onset of monsoon in Delhi, since there was no rainfall, the announcement of its onset was being deferred for the last three days.

“Parts of the city have started receiving rain, and the monsoon is likely to cover the remaining parts in the next few hours,” said a senior IMD official on Tuesday morning.

The official, however, said that the intensity of showers will be light till July 16, which will keep the humidity levels high. The rainfall intensity is likely to pick up after July 16.

Delhiites have been waiting for the arrival of monsoon for nearly a month, as the IMD first forecasted the arrival of monsoon for June 15, which would have made it the earliest onset of monsoon in Delhi.

“Finally Monsoon Rains over Delhi! Even though monsoon conditions were prevailing last 2-3 days, Met department was waiting for these rains to declare monsoon onset. Last two days it rained everywhere surrounding Delhi, except Delhi,” tweeted Madhavan Rajeevan, secretary, Union ministry of earth sciences.