Delhi-NCR turns humid as monsoon mysteriously disappears: Where are the rains?

Delhi-NCR is in the seasonal August limbo where the air feels humid, clouds occasionally gather overhead, but the monsoon rain is no longer arriving as regularly as millions expect it to.

On Thursday, August 13, the Delhi-NCR areas are expected to remain partly cloudy, with temperatures hovering around 29-36°C, and rain is not a prominent part of the forecast, leaving the region warm and humid.

But the absence of rain showers does not mean the monsoon has disappeared. It’s just that the rain-bearing systems that bring showers have shifted their focus elsewhere.

WHERE HAS THE MONSOON RAIN GONE?

Another reason why the missing rain is hard to ignore is the fact that just last week, the country was going through an active monsoon spell, experiencing heavy rains across several parts of the country, particularly in Delhi and its neighbouring regions.

Since the monsoon arrived in Kerala on June 4, Delhi has received 747.7 mm of rain against a normal 899.4 mm, leaving the capital 17% below normal as of August 12, according to the IMD.

Haryana is 9% below normal, while Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are running deficits of 23% and 35%, respectively. Chandigarh is also 25% below normal.

But then, that is the nature of the Indian monsoon where rainfall does not arrive evenly.

A low-pressure system or a shift in the monsoon trough can bring intense rain to one region while leaving another relatively dry.

WHEN WILL IT RAIN AGAIN?

For now, there is no indication of an immediate return to a prolonged, widespread rainy spell over Delhi-NCR.

The latest forecast points to partly cloudy skies and temperatures of 29°C-36°C.

Meanwhile, the broader monsoon remains more active over parts of the Western Himalayas, central India and eastern India.

That could, however, change very quickly.

The IMD has continued to forecast widespread rainfall across parts of northwest India, including periods of heavy rain over neighbouring regions. Meanwhile, a new low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal might trigger localised showers in the national capital.

For now, the simple fact remains that the monsoon is still around, but Delhi is between its rain spells.

– Ends