Monsoon line has reached north Rajasthan, touching Bikaner, but rain is yet to occur in the parched state. Southwest Monsoon generally covers west Rajasthan by 15th July, therefore cities here are just about 2⁰C above normal. But temperatures in places like Kota and Jaipur (7-8⁰C above normal) in the eastern side should have come down by now.
On Tuesday, Churu remained dry and maximum rose to 43⁰C. Temperature in Rajasthan remained the highest in the country, recording more than 40⁰C in cities like Kota (42.7⁰C), Jaisalmer (40.3⁰C), Jaipur (41.6⁰C) and Bikaner (40.8⁰C).
Day temperatures are rising above 40⁰C in several areas even where Southwest Monsoon has reached, like parts of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Maximum temperature in Khajuraho Tuesday was 42.8⁰C, Delhi 40.3⁰C and Agra 41.3⁰C.
According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the weather in entire northern plains is expected to be hot and dry in the coming days, as the moist south westerlies are reaching only up to southern parts of Rajasthan.
Though the NLM has touched Alwar and Bikaner, dry south westerly/north westerly winds are still prevailing over the region.
These winds are not allowing the moisture laden easterly winds to penetrate over these areas as there is no strong system. In fact, heat wave conditions are not likely to abate for another 4 to 5 days.
In the month of July, at least 3 to 4 good Monsoon systems form in the Bay of Bengal but this year there has been no strong system to mitigate the mounting rainfall deficit in the country.