IMD Forecasts Delay in Delhi Monsoon Arrival to Around July 4

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Monday that the arrival of the southwest monsoon in Delhi has been delayed, with rains now expected to reach the national capital around July 4 instead of the normal onset date of June 27.

According to the IMD's five-day advance forecast, there is no likelihood of the monsoon reaching Delhi and its adjoining areas over the next five days. A senior IMD scientist explained that a new circulation pattern is currently developing, which is expected to help the southwest monsoon regain its momentum after this five-day period, potentially bringing the rain to northwest India by early July.

While Delhi waits, the monsoon is expected to advance into other regions. The IMD stated that conditions are favourable over the next two days for the monsoon to move into the remaining parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over the subsequent two to three days, it is projected to cover more parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and southeast Rajasthan.

The slow progress of the monsoon has caused a significant rainfall deficit across the country. Between June 1 and June 29, India recorded 92.2 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 157.7 mm, marking a 42 percent shortfall. Northwest India, which includes Delhi, has recorded a rainfall deficiency of 30 percent below normal during this period. Central India has experienced the highest deficit at 54 percent, followed by east and northeast India at 41 percent, and South Peninsular India at 28 percent.

While northwest India experiences a dry spell, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in other parts of the country. This includes Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on June 29, Konkan and Goa on June 29, July 2, and July 3, and Madhya Maharashtra on July 2 and 3.