Heatwave relents after rain in city, monsoon on track

NEW DELHI: Thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in Delhi-ncr as severe heatwave conditions that had gripped parts of north-west India abated on Thursday. The weather department has also forecast dust storms and thunderstorm in the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department said monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala around its normal onset date of June 1.

NEWDELHI: The monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala around its normal onset date of June 1, weather forecasting officials said on Thursday, after observing new developing patterns that could speed up the progress of the rain system.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier said the monsoon may be delayed by four days but a low pressure that is likely to form over the southeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea could help make up for the delay at present.

“The low-pressure area is likely to bring rain to the west coast and make conditions favourable for advancement of monsoon earlier than expected. We can expect onset of monsoon over Kerala around June 1 or 2,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

The Arabian Sea is “very warm” and parts of it are condu

cive for development and intensification of a cyclone but IMD scientists said it is too early to give details of cyclone development.

“The models are not giving us a consensus statement right now. Some are showing intensification to a very intense or an extremely intense cyclone but many other

global models are not showing such intensification. So, it’s early to tell but a low-pressure area will form around May 31 to June 1. Sea conditions are favourable for a cyclone,” he added.

The monsoon is crucial for farmers who rely on rain for irrigation.