· The south-west monsoon is advancing rapidly, bringing warnings of rain, storm and lightning in more than 18 states across the country.
· Heavy rains led to waterlogging in Mumbai, while severe weather warnings remained in place in Konkan, Goa and Maharashtra.
· Delhi is likely to receive monsoon rains by the end of June, which will provide much-needed relief from the scorching summer temperatures.
· IMD has warned of strong winds, lightning and heavy rain in many northern, central and northeastern states.
· Despite increased monsoon activity, heat wave conditions continue in parts of Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha.
After weeks of scorching heat and oppressive humidity, millions of people across India may finally be relieved as the south-west monsoon is gaining momentum and moving steadily across the country. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), monsoon is expected to reach Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and many other parts of North India by the end of June, signaling a significant change in weather conditions.
The rapid advance of the monsoon has already changed the weather pattern over western and central India, where widespread rainfall activity has intensified. While the seasonal rains are expected to bring down the rising temperatures, they have also warned of heavy rainfall, storms, strong winds and lightning in more than 18 states.
Pre-monsoon activity intensifies in North India
Pre-monsoon activity is increasing over the northern states due to the influence of Western Disturbance and cyclonic circulation in the upper atmosphere. Cloudy skies, sporadic rain and thundershowers have been reported in many areas, indicating the arrival of monsoon.
IMD has issued an alert for parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and western Uttar Pradesh, where thunderstorms may be accompanied by strong winds at speeds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. Similar conditions are expected in Delhi-NCR, where light rain and strong winds are likely to provide temporary relief from the current heat.