Light rain likely in Delhi but September to end with large rainfall deficit: IMD

No rain is expected in the region afterward until at least Oct 1, the IMD added stating conditions were favourable now for the southwest monsoon to begin withdrawing from west Rajasthan from today

Parts of Delhi may see light drizzle on Monday and depsite that September is likely to end with a large rain deficit, with no rain forecast for the remainder of the month, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

For the national Capital, the normal date of monsoon withdrawal is September 25 which is set to be missed. (HT Photo | Arvind Yadav)

It also said conditions were favourable now for the southwest monsoon to begin withdrawing from west Rajasthan from Monday.

Safdarjung, representative of Delhi’s weather, has so far received 82.7mm of monthly rainfall. Till September 25, Delhi should have received 118.2mm of monthly rainfall, making it a deficit of 30% so far.

Overall, in the month of September, Delhi averages 123.4mm of rainfall, meaning if no rain is recorded for the remainder of the month, Delhi will end with a deficit of 33% this month.

August too was on similar lines, with only 91.8mm of rainfall being received throughout the month -- a deficit of 61% as compared to the monthly normal mark of 233.1mm for August.

This was the second lowest monthly rainfall total for August in Delhi in at least 14 years. Delhi’s monsoon total has however, largely been helped by the rain it received in July, which saw 384.6mm being recorded -- an excess of 83% over the monthly normal

The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon this year has been delayed by around eight days, with the normal date for west Rajasthan being September 17.

For Delhi, the normal date of monsoon withdrawal is September 25, which is set to be missed, officials said.

Met officials said with the monsoon weakening and the impact of the latest western disturbance – one which brought strong winds and rain to Delhi on Saturday – gradually reducing, little rain activity is expected in northwest India in the coming days now.

“There are chances of a drizzle in isolated pockets, similar to Sunday, but Delhi will largely record a sunny day with partially cloudy skies at some locations. Beginning today, the monsoon withdrawal is expected to commence from west Rajasthan,” said an IMD official, adding that September too will see a rain deficit.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 23.6°C this morning, a degree lower than Sunday’s minimum of 24.6°C. The maximum is meanwhile forecast to hover around 35°C. Delhi’s maximum on Sunday, in comparison, was 34.4°C. Met officials also say with no rain expected in the coming days, mercury may touch 37°C by the end of the month.

“With dry conditions and the cloudiness reducing, days will be sunny until the end of the month now. Temperature can start dipping again, only once northwesterly winds start blowing again,” said the IMD official.

Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) was meanwhile still in the ‘moderate’ category on Monday. The average AQI stood at 121 (moderate) at 9 am on Monday. In comparison, it was 134 (moderate) at 4 pm on Sunday. Forecasts show AQI is likely to remain moderate now until the end of the month.