Mercury touches new high for July,Met predicts rain relief

The highest temperature in July was an oppressive 45 degrees,but that was nearly a century ago on July 1,1931. Compared to this,the decade’s maximum for this month was a “comfortable” 38.5 degrees Celsius in 2011,Met department officials said.

The officials said pre-monsoon clouds could bring light rains on Tuesday and Wednesday,while the monsoon is expected to reach the city before the weekend.

After a weak streak,the monsoon gathered strength in Bay of Bengal on Monday. It is expected to hit central India’s Maharashtra,Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in the next 48 hours before heading towards Delhi,Dr S C Bhan of the Indian Meteorological Department said.

“The cyclonic circulation is now over Northwest Bay of Bengal and the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. It is expected to move westward,bringing rains first to central India and then move to the Northwest and Delhi. Monsoon rains are expected to hit the city by the end of this week,” he said.

Showers are expected from July 5 onwards,according to the Met department forecast released on Monday. “Rain or thundershower would occur at one or two places over Northwest India in the next 48 hours and increase thereafter,” the forecast says.

“Once the monsoon reaches Delhi,it is likely to rain for over two weeks and bring the mercury down by several notches,” a senior Met official said.

“In these two weeks,Delhi will receive good rainfall. However,the overall seasonal rainfall will be less than normal. We don’t expect heavy downpour,” he said. Apart from the heat,Delhi on Monday sweated in high humidity,with the maximum touching an uncomfortable 67 per cent.