Decade’s wettest monsoon in sight for Delhi and NCR

NEW DELHI: With India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting another intense rain spell over Delhi and adjoining areas between September 6 and 10, this could be one of the wettest monsoons for the city in at least over the past decade, IMD scientists and weather experts said.

Compared to the normal 552.6mm rain till this time of the year, Delhi has already had a 79% surplus -- 988.4mm so far, shows IMD data. It has also exceeded the monsoon season’s average rainfall of 648.9mm. “This is already the highest rainfall received so far during the season since 2010 when 1031.5mm rainfall was received. Now, with another week of rain forecast, it may even surpass the 2010 mark. From September 6-10, another moderate to heavy spell of rainfall is likely over the northern plains including Delhi-NCR,” said a senior IMD official who asked not to be named. According to IMD data, till Saturday, the city gauged 232mm rain whereas the normal rain for September is 125.1mm. Between August 31 and September 2, Delhi received 230mm rain. With 112.1mm 24-hour rainfall on September 1, Delhi received the highest single-day rain for the month in the past 19 years, IMD said. On August 21, Delhi received 138.8mm rainfall in 24 hours, the highest for the month in over 14 years.

“These intense rain spells over the past week, and during the past month, have led to surplus rain. The most recent heavy spell was a result of a deep convergence line forming from Gujarat to Delhi along with the monsoon trough being in the normal position.