Strong dust storms hit Delhi and the National Capital Region on Tuesday evening, even as the India Meteorological Department sounded red and orange alerts across the National Capital Region.
The Meteorological Department has forecast moderate rain along with severe thunderstorms in South Delhi, South-East Delhi, South-West Delhi, New Delhi and North-West Delhi, according to its now warning. Moderate rain with moderate thunderstorms is expected in North Delhi, North West Delhi, Central Delhi, East Delhi, North East Delhi and Shahdara.
However, a major shift in weather is expected for most of northern India. While the region is currently under a heatwave warning in isolated pockets, a new Western Disturbance is expected to affect the western Himalayan region starting June 11. Under this, rainfall is expected in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and various parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between June 10 and 14.
“Scattered rain is likely over Punjab and western Rajasthan during June 11-15; Haryana Chandigarh and Delhi on June 9 and during June 11-15,” the IMD said in its weather advisory on Tuesday. The Meteorological Department has forecast scattered rains in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from June 9 to 14.
The IMD has also issued warnings for thunderstorms with wind speeds of up to 50-60 kmph, along with gusty winds and lightning, across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh from June 11-12.
Hail storm activity has also been forecast in Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on June 12.
The southwest monsoon covers the northeastern states
The southwest monsoon on Tuesday advanced into north Bengal and north-eastern states and covered them. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on June 4. “The southwest monsoon has advanced further into the remaining parts of the north-eastern states, entire Sikkim and some parts of the sub-Himalayan state of West Bengal,” the IMD said in its bulletin.
The Met office also said that conditions remain favorable for the advance of the monsoon into eastern, central and western India over the next four to five days. With the monsoon covering the north-east, heavy rains are expected in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts of North Bengal till June 13.
The Meteorological Department had earlier forecast rainfall in India this year to be around 90% of the long period average (LPA). According to the International Institute for Management Development, the country may see less rain than usual this year, due to the emergence of El Niño conditions.
