This morning, Delhi and its neighbouring regions experienced light rainfall, providing significant relief after enduring an intense heatwave for over a month. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted additional showers throughout the day, much to the delight of residents who have been struggling with relentless high temperatures.
The IMD had previously predicted rainfall in various parts of North India, including Delhi, which has been facing extreme heat conditions. Several residents took to social media to express their relief and joy. One user on X shared, “First rain droplets in Delhi-NCR, 20.06.2024. Hope it pours also.”
Reports of rain came in from multiple areas, including Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. A user posted a video with the caption, “Bring it on #Delhirain #heatwave,” while another described the bliss of driving with windows down and feeling the first rain drops on their face after months of sweltering heat.
The IMD’s early morning bulletin detailed light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speeds of 30-50 km/h expected across various locations in Delhi-NCR and parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Yesterday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius, significantly above the normal range. This follows a stretch where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius since May 12, with 16 days peaking over 45 degrees Celsius.
The severe heatwave led to a spike in heatstroke cases and fatalities. Hospitals like Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital reported numerous cases and several deaths due to heat-related illnesses. Union Health Minister JP Nadda reviewed the situation, instructing central government hospitals to establish special heatwave units.
Additionally, a senior police officer reported the discovery of 50 bodies in the past 48 hours, primarily of individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, with causes of death yet to be determined.
The heatwave also affected other regions, with severe conditions in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Jammu.
However, the IMD has indicated that conditions are now favourable for the further advancement of the Southwest Monsoon, which had stalled between June 12 and 18. The monsoon is expected to progress into more parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand in the next few days.
Widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds is also predicted in the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and others. Isolated heavy rain is forecast for Bihar and Jharkhand, while light to moderate rainfall is expected over Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and other regions over the next five days.
With a western disturbance approaching North India, isolated to scattered light rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds is likely in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan through June 21
