IMD issues orange alert for moderate rain in Delhi as monsoon returns

With the return of the monsoon in northwest India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange advisory for moderate rain in the capital on Friday. The precipitation is predicted to reduce the maximum temperature to 32 degrees Celsius in three to four days. 
So far this month, Delhi has received only 63.2 mm of rain, compared to a typical of 157.1 mm, as the city and surrounding northwest Indian areas entered a break monsoon period, the second of the season, on August 10.

With the return of the monsoon, the IMD has projected moderate to isolated heavy rain in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi between August 19 and August 23. According to weather experts, substantial rainfall in the remaining ten days of the month is predicted to make up for the capital's precipitation shortfall.

In August, the capital typically receives 247.7mm of rain. The IMD has previously forecast that Delhi will receive average rainfall this month. During the monsoon season, the monsoon trough shifts closer to the Himalayan foothills, resulting in a dramatic decrease in precipitation over much of the nation.
On the other hand, rainfall increases throughout the Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, and sections of the southern peninsula. Before reaching much of northwest India, including Delhi, the monsoon started the first break phase in July.

This July, the capital received an unprecedented 507.1 mm of rainfall, approximately 141% above average. It was also the wettest month since July 2003 and the second wettest on record. Due to the heavy rains in July, the capital has received 605.1 mm since June 1, when the monsoon season begins, compared to the usual 433.2 mm.
 

• IMD
• New Delhi
• Monsoon