Delhi looking at longest monsoon since 1941, rains to stay till Oct 13

The monsoon arrived in Delhi on June 16 this year – two weeks ahead of schedule – and is expected to stay till October 13, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

It’s going to be a damp October in the Capital with this year’s monsoon likely to be the longest one in NCR since 1941.

The monsoon arrived in Delhi on June 16 this year – two weeks ahead of schedule – and is expected to stay till October 13, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The average length of the monsoon season in Delhi is 85 days but 2013 is likely to see the season push nearly 120 days. The previous record of longest monsoon over Delhi was 111 days in 1956.

In addition to the longer than normal time period, it has also rained 35% more than normal.

“In view of predicted rainfall spells over Delhi NCR in the coming week, the length of the monsoon this year is likely to surpass the 1956 record since 1941 (when records started being kept),” said OP Singh, deputy director general – meteorology, IMD.

Minister of health Ghulam Nabi Azad, on Tuesday, attributed the rise in dengue cases, which have already crossed 2,000, to the long monsoon in the Capital.

“A subdued monsoon activity was observed during the first fortnight of September. A revival was seen from September 21, which is the normal date of withdrawal of monsoon from Delhi NCR. But this year the withdrawal date is likely to get delayed and may break the previous record of October 13,” Singh added.