Weather Today News Updates: Monsoon expected to hit Delhi-NCR around June 30, says IMD

As northwestern states in India continue to reel under the brutal heatwave, over 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases have surfaced across the country in the summer season, reported Reuters. The severe heatwave condition so far killed over 100 people across India, while parts of northeastern states grappled with heavy rains, landslides and floods. Read more.

Residents of Shimla and its surroundings reeling from the scorching heat for more than four weeks got a much-needed respite on Wednesday after a severe thunderstorm, accompanied by rain, lashed the capital town and its adjoining areas, reported PTI.

The Centre on Wednesday issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories to submit daily the data on heatstroke cases and deaths from March 1 onwards.

“Start daily submission of data on heatstroke cases and deaths, emergency attendance and total deaths from March 1, 2024 on IHIP portal under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health,” the Ministry of Health and Welfare said in the advisory. Read more.

Maximum temperatures ranged from 43 to 45 degrees Celsius in many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and north Rajasthan, PTI reported.

In the national capital, hospitals reported a spike in heatstroke cases and several deaths in the last two days. Delhi recorded its warmest night in at least 14 years, with the minimum temperature settling at 35.2 degrees Celsius.

Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday directed the officials to ensure that all hospitals are prepared to provide the best healthcare to those affected from heatwave.

While reviewing the heatwave situation and preparedness of central government hospitals, Nadda directed for special heatwave units to be started in those hospitals. Read more.

Amid severe heatwave in many parts of the country, the Ministry of Health issues an advisory to all States and UTs to start daily submission of data on heatstroke cases and deaths and total deaths from March 1, 2024 and also make the public aware of precautions to be taken to safeguard against extreme heat.

Weather Today News LIVE: Amidst prevalent heatwave conditions in Delhi, Lok Nayak Hospital has reported that nine patients were admitted on Wednesday due to heatstroke, reported news agency ANI.

Out of these nine patients, four are currently on ventilator support due to critical conditions and multi-organ failure caused by heatstroke. He added that on June 16, a patient died due to heatstroke.

Weather Today News LIVE: Hot weather conditions continued to persist in Haryana and Punjab on Wednesday, with Nuh reeling at 45.3 degrees Celsius, reported news agency PTI.

Haryana's Faridabad recorded a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, while Gurugram recorded a high of 43.6 degree Celsius. Sonipat recorded a high of 44.8 degrees Celsius, and Hisar 44.4 degrees Celsius.

Check out these news stories related to the weather in India today.

Amid the heatwave conditions in Delhi, the national capital's peak power demand reached an all-time high of 8,656 MW at 3:06 pm, the highest ever in the history of the national capital, the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) data stated on Wednesday, reported ANI.

High surface temperatures are impacting flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, resulting in flight delays.

A senior official in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that flight operations have been impacted because of high temperatures and following safety guidelines. Flights get delayed sometimes or wait for the wind speed to settle down, reported ANI.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the Monsoon is expected to hit Delhi-NCR around June 30.

Dust storms and light-intensity rainfall activity are also expected in Delhi today, it added, according to ANI.

The south-west monsoon, which has slowed down after hitting Mumbai, is gathering pace and is expected to progress further by June 21-22, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) told PTI today.

"Monsoon activity was weak after it hit Mumbai, but it is slowly turning moderate. It will strengthen by June 21-22 and coastal Maharashtra is likely to receive good rainfall. Central Maharashtra, including Marathwada, will receive light to moderate rainfall during this time," Sunil Kamble, Head of the Regional Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai, said.

On weather conditions, IMD scientist, Dr Naresh Kumar tells ANI: "We had issued a red alert for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar yesterday, but today conditions have improved. There has been rainfall activity in Bihar. For Punjab, Haryana and Delhi NCR, we have issued an orange alert but for West Uttar Pradesh we have issued a red alert for the next 2 days, there is a red alert for Uttar Pradesh as well today.

"In Delhi NCR, the temperature is expected to be around 40 degrees C. Monsoon is expected to hit Delhi NCR around 30th June. Even today, we can expect dust storms and light-intensity rainfall activity in Delhi..." he adds.

Delhi water minister Atishi said on Wednesday that she has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention on the ongoing water crisis in the national capital, adding that she will sit on an indefinite fast starting Friday if the issue is not resolved.

"…If Delhi’s rightful share of water is not provided in the next two days, I will start a satyagraha for water. I will start an indefinite fast till Delhi gets its water,” the minister said while addressing media persons. Read more.

“It's so hot right now, just stepping outside for ten minutes feels unbearable. Tap water feels like it's boiling, and there's no relief from the heat. It's almost unlivable,” reads a post from a Delhi-based entrepreneur on the social media platform X. Puneet Siinghal’s post is one among thousands of such tweets that have appeared on X (formerly Twitter) over the last few days as the national capital scorches under one of its hottest summers on record. Read more.

IMD has marked both East and West Uttar Pradesh as red alert areas, and has said that people of all ages are vulnerable to heatstroke due to high temperature, urging people to take precautions accordingly. Orai in West Uttar Pradesh has today's highest maximum temperature. The IMD also stated that it will take longer for Uttar Pradesh to escape heatwave conditions as compared to Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi.

The IMD in its June 19 press release stated that Orai had the highest maximum temperature of the day at 46.4 degree celsius. It also noted that maximum temperatures were in the range of 44-46 in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh as well as some parts of north Madhya Pradesh, south Bihar and north Rajasthan

In a press conference today, the PWD minister stated that 28 lakh people in Delhi were not getting water. She added that if Delhi was not provided their rightful share of the water by the 21st then she would have choice but to stage a satyagraha.

Delhi has been facing a water crisis due to extreme heatwave conditions and has been in conflict with the state of Haryana over their water sharing policy

The IMD has stated that heavy to very heavy rainfall will take place across 6 districts in sub-himalayan Bengal and Sikkim. The IMD especially noted 23 cm of rain recorded in Darjeeling. Heavy rainfall in these regions is likely to continue for the next 3 days, the IMD said.

The normal range of rainfall during June is 55-60 m but parts of Tamil Nadu have recorded up to 160 mm as well. Tiruchirapalli is experiencing heavy rainfall and Chennai has been experiencing 4-5 times more rain than normal.

The AQI in Delhi today stands at 89.0, indicating moderate air quality in the city. People with respiratory issues should be cautious, especially while planning outdoor activities. Delhi's average temperature is also 40 degree celsius, making it necessary for people to avoid the outdoors and remain hydrated to avoid heat stroke or heat related health problems.

The IMD has predicted squally weather with gusty winds and possibilites of thunderstorms on the east and west coast of India and has warned fishermen to not venture out to sea today.

Thunderstorm conditions and squally winds are also expected inland in Uttarakhand and East Madhya Pradesh

The IMD has identified flash flood threats on June 19 for Assam - which is already facing floods across 15 districts, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Kishanganj district of Bihar. The notice from the weather department stated that surface run-off and water inundation after rainfall can lead to severe flooding in several districts. The IMD also stated that the risk for flooding continues until 11: 30 pm tonight, until when heavy rainfall up to 180 mm is expected.

Delhi experienced the warmest night in 12 years on Wednesday over eight degrees above the season's normal, IMD data suggests. The previous warmest night recorded in the city was in June, 2012 when the minimum temperature settled at 34 degrees Celsius.

Hospitals in the Delhi-NCR area are seeing an increase in number of patients with complaints of heat stroke and exhaustion. Doctors have advised elderly and immuno-compromised patients to avoid stepping outdoors.