Heavy rain hits Delhi-NCR, brings much needed relief

New Delhi: Heavy rain lashed Delhi and its adjoining areas on Monday bringing a much-needed respite from the scorching heat to people living in the national capital. Heavy rain was reported in Central Delhi; East Delhi; and some parts of Noida, which falls in the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is expected to receive light rainfall till Wednesday. The rainfall will be owing to the slight shifting of the monsoon trough—which is currently at the foothills of the Himalayas—towards the northern parts of the country.

Delhi generally receives over 50 per cent of rainfall in the months of June and July. However, this year the city is not receiving proper rainfall and is witnessing a dry spell.

The IMD has predicted that a dry spell is expected to hit the city around July 20 and 22, but Delhi and Northwest India would receive good rainfall on July 24 and 25 with the Southwest trough moving towards Delhi-NCR and the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The monsoon has been deficit in the month of July this year and the deficit is as high as 66 per cent. If taken on a seasonal level, the deficit is 73 per cent.

The IMD said that the deficit is largely because monsoon comes in spells, mostly weak and strong spells.

According to the IMD, if there are two to three strong spells by the end of this month, the Southwest monsoon would be able to breach the deficit and rainfall would be close to normal level.