Delhi Receives Steady Rainfall; IMD Issues Fresh Weather Alert for North India

Steady rainfall lashed Delhi on Monday morning, providing much-needed relief from the recent spell of intense heat. The showers arrived in line with forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has predicted continued wet weather across northwest India due to the influence of an active western disturbance.

Cloudy skies and cooler temperatures prevailed across the national capital as authorities kept a close watch on weather developments amid expectations of further light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.

Western Disturbance Driving Weather Changes

IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said weather conditions across northwest India are likely to improve gradually as the western disturbance currently positioned over North Haryana moves eastward.

Speaking to ANI, Kumar explained the factors behind the recent weather activity.

"Over the past few days, northwest India, including Delhi, has experienced moderate to heavy rainfall due to the influence of a western disturbance combined with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea...This confluence has led to significant rainfall in regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with wind speeds reaching up to 60-70 km/h."

Yellow Alert Issued for Several States

Providing an update on weather alerts, Kumar said rainfall intensity is expected to reduce, although wet conditions will persist across much of the region.

"Currently, the western disturbance is positioned over North Haryana, and while the rainfall intensity is expected to decrease, light to moderate rainfall is still anticipated across northwest India. We have issued a yellow alert for Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana, with expected strong winds in Rajasthan..."

Rainfall Forecast Till June 19

According to the IMD, the active western disturbance is expected to keep northwest India under a wet spell until June 19.

Isolated to scattered rainfall is forecast over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand from June 13 to June 19. Himachal Pradesh is expected to witness similar weather conditions between June 14 and June 19.

The plains, including Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and West Uttar Pradesh, are also likely to receive isolated to scattered rainfall through June 19. East Uttar Pradesh is expected to witness rain on June 18 and 19, while West Rajasthan may receive rainfall between June 15 and 17 and again on June 19.

Thunderstorms and Strong Winds Likely

The weather department has also warned of unstable weather conditions in several parts of the region.

Isolated thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are likely in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, while Uttarakhand could continue to experience similar conditions through June 15.

The IMD has further forecast thunderstorms and strong winds across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and West Uttar Pradesh. East Rajasthan is expected to witness similar conditions from June 16 to June 19, while West Rajasthan may experience them between June 15 and 17 and again on June 19.

Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in East Uttar Pradesh. The IMD has also warned of thundersqualls with wind speeds of 60-70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph, over parts of Rajasthan.

Temperature Trends Across India

The latest IMD forecast indicates varying temperature trends across different regions of the country through June 19.

In northwest India, maximum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 4-6 degrees Celsius until June 17 before stabilising. Central India is likely to witness little change in temperatures until June 17, followed by a gradual decline of 2-3 degrees Celsius through June 19.

For the rest of the country, maximum temperatures are expected to remain largely stable with no significant changes during the forecast period.

Summarising the outlook, IMD stated that weather conditions across much of northwest India will remain influenced by the ongoing western disturbance, bringing periodic rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds over the coming days.

(With inputs from ANI)