And just as we predicted, weather in Delhi and northern plains remained dry on Sunday with Monsoon showers recorded only in isolated pockets. Besides Delhi, isolated rain occurred in Haryana too, but failed to bring any relief from the hot weather. Rajasthan and Punjab remained completely dry, with temperatures settling two to four degrees above the normal average.
Skymet on Sunday had said that rain will remain patchy in Delhi, which exactly was the case. While Safdarjung recorded a mere 0.9 mm of rain, people in parts of Narela were bathing in heavy Monsoon showers of over 32 mm. Short spells of insignificant rain occurred at different times in parts of Palam, Dwarka and Noida. In the absence of enough rain the maximum recorded three degrees above the normal average at 39.7⁰C at palam. The maximum settled at 37⁰C at the Safdurjung Observatory, which is one degree above the normal average. The humidity remained very high (over 80%) and made the night very uncomfortable.
According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the weather in Delhi and entire northern plains is expected to be hot and dry at least for the next three to four days. Hopes of rain in Delhi had risen from the low pressure system which gave rain to almost entire Uttar Pradesh, but were dashed when the system did not reach Delhi. The low pressure is now expected to die down shortly near west Uttar Pradesh.
Other than Narela and Ayanagar in Delhi, isolated rain occurred at Ambala (4.3 mm) and Karnala (2.8 mm) in Haryana on Sunday evening. Hisar remained dry and maximum rose to 41⁰C.
Punjab did not receive a drop of rain despite high temperatures which generally trigger thundershowers. Day temperature in Patiala recorded four degrees above normal, at 38.6⁰C. Amritsar and Ludhiana remained just a shade better at 36.3⁰C and 37⁰C respectively.
Monsoon line has reached north Rajasthan, touching Bikaner, but rain is yet to occur in the parched state. Temperatures remained the highest here in the country, recording more than 40⁰C. Bikaner on Sunday recorded a maximum of 41.3⁰C. Jaisalmer, where the Monsoon line is yet to reach, touched 40⁰C.
Meanwhile, there are chances of thundery build up in northern plains in the next two days. This is because of the high temperatures being recorded in the region for some time now.
Photo by Ritika Acharya.
