The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday reported that this year’s southwest monsoon has covered the entire country six days earlier than its typical schedule. The southwest monsoon reached Kerala and the northeastern region on June 30, arriving two to six days earlier than usual. While progressing as expected until Maharashtra, it subsequently slowed down, delaying the onset of rains in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. This slowdown has exacerbated the effects of a severe heat wave in northwest India.
“The southwest monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab today. Thus, it covered the entire country on 2nd July 2024, against the normal date of July 8 (six days before the normal date of covering the entire India),” the IMD said in a statement.
Additionally, the MeT office informed that the active monsoon conditions are very likely over Northwest, East & Northeast India during next 4-5 days. Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning very likely over Northwest and Central India during next 5 days. “No significant change in maximum temperatures very likely over most parts of the country during next 5 days,” IMD said in a press release.
IMD issues yellow alert for Delhi
IMD has predicted a cloudy sky with moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning on Wednesday. A ‘yellow’ alert has been issued for the day, with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 35 degrees Celsius to a minimum of 28 degrees Celsius. According to the weather office, generally cloudy conditions with varying intensities of rain, thunderstorms, and lightning is likely in the national capital for the next few days.
From July 6th to 8th, daytime temperatures are expected to be around 33 degrees Celsius, dropping to 26 degrees Celsius at night. The skies will remain generally cloudy with light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning during this period.
Very heavy rainfall in Gujarat
According to the latest forecast, Gujarat is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The Meteorological Department has predicted that on July 3rd, Surat, Navsari, Valsad, as well as Daman and Dadra Nagar Haveli, will witness very heavy rains. The IMD noted that Gujarat is currently under the influence of two cyclonic circulations, one over northern Gujarat and another over southern Gujarat, contributing to this wet weather spell.
IMD issues alert for heavy rainfall in 22 districts of MP
The meteorological office has issued a heavy rainfall alert for approximately 22 districts in Madhya Pradesh scheduled for Wednesday. Additionally, the Met Office reported a decrease in current temperatures across the state. Temperatures are currently ranging between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius throughout Madhya Pradesh, with expectations for conditions to persist in the near term.
“A trough line is passing from South Gujarat to Central Madhya Pradesh due to which a lot of moisture is arriving. Another trough line is passing from Punjab to Mizoram which is going through Uttar Pradesh. Due to all these systems, good rain is expected in the state but no heavy rainfall alert has been issued today,” said V S Yadav, meteorologist, IMD Bhopal.