Delhi is likely to have withdrawal of monsoon anytime soon, during this week. Southwest monsoon has already withdrawn from Some parts of Saurashtra, Kutch, West Rajasthan and the extreme western tip of both, Punjab and Haryana. The base observatory at Safdarjung has not recorded any rainfall for the last 11 days. The day temperatures had been steady in the mid-30s. There will be no rain for the next few days. In the absence of clouds and rains, the temperature is likely to rise to about 36°-37°C, around mid-week. The wind stream is expected to become dry northwesterly and a bit strong, typical of withdrawal symptoms. Early mornings will find a slight dip in mercury and feel fresh, in anticipation of the retreat of the monsoon.
At the time of retreat, having a fleeting spell of light sprinkle sometimes is quite normal. This time also, there could be some sporadic drizzle in some parts on 04th&05thOctober. However, this does not suffice to stop the announcement of withdrawal. Change of winds, fair amount of warm sunshine, breezy afternoons, and drop in humidity levels, will all be synonymous with the likely withdrawal from Delhi, sooner than later.
The scheduled date of withdrawal of monsoon from Delhi is 25th September. A margin of +/- 5 days is considered within the normal. Last year, the monsoon withdrew on 30th September. It may follow the same track this year, as well, with somewhat similar margins. Light spray, if at all on 4th Oct, is not considered any binding for cessation of monsoon stream.
Despite a prolonged dry spell till the last week of June, monsoon has performed adequately well, during the season. As such. Capital City has recorded above-normal rainfall in this season, nearly matching with the yearly average. Even, the closing month of September, which goes dry on more number of occasions, had decent wet spells. The record observatory Safdarjung measured 193mm of rainfall against the modest normal of 123.4mm. After, the withdrawal, the weather conditions are likely to turn warm and sultry, for a week or ten days, till the winter flavour resumes around mid-October, to start with, in the evening and at night.
Image Courtesy: India Times
