Monsoon rains above average for second straight week

NEW DELHI: Northern India was cloudy and drenched by showers in many places today as southwest monsoons arrived in Rajasthan five days before it was due, bringing about a sharp decline in temperatures.

Heavy rainfall and inclement weather was reported in several parts of the region where a farmer was killed in Himachal Pradesh by a lightning bolt in Mandi district this morning.

In Delhi, scattered showers and overcast conditions meant it was a pleasant day for residents with the maximum temperature dropping seven notches from yesterday to settle at 32.8 degrees.

The minimum in the national capital was a notch above normal at 28.8 degrees on what was a highly humid day with moisture content in air ranging between 62 and 72 per cent.

The weatherman has predicted a decent spell of rain over the next couple of days which is expected to keep the mercury below normal levels.

The India Meteorological Department had said yesterday that monsoon was expected to hit Delhi at least a week ahead of its normal onset on June 29.

Weather officials in Rajasthan, meanwhile, announced today that the southwest monsoon had entered the state days before its expected arrival date of June 18.

The monsoon entered through southeast Rajasthan and activated in Udaipur region, MeT officials said, adding that conditions are favourable for its further advance.

Several places in the state received light to moderate rainfall in the last 24 hours with Balesar and Shergarh towns recording maximum of 9-cm rainfall each.