Monsoon just days away in Gurgaon, but bear with humidity till then

Gurgaon: The city experienced a warm and humid Sunday as it anticipates an early monsoon arrival in the next two days, according to IMD.


The Gurgaon observatory didn't record the day's minimum temperature but the maximum temperature was recorded at 35.3°C and nearby Ayanagar registered 28.4°C minimum temperature with 73% relative humidity.

The city has already received 42.4mm rainfall between June 1 and 22, marking a 77% increase over the normal average. This is just short of the monthly normal of 47.1mm. With over a week left in the month and more rainfall expected, the city is likely to exceed its June average. Last year, Gurgaon received 62.6mm (33% above normal), while June 2023 witnessed bountiful rainfall, with 115.8mm, more than double the average. June 2022 was comparatively drier, with 37.8mm recorded.

As residents eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon, IMD suggests that its onset over Gurgaon and adjoining areas is expected over the next two days. The southwest monsoon has further advanced into most parts of Himachal Pradesh, the entire regions of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, most parts of Jammu, and some parts of Punjab.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the next five days, predicting light to moderate rainfall in Gurgaon, with the possibility of isolated heavy showers accompanied by thunder and gusty winds. Meteorologists attribute the favourable conditions to the presence of a low-pressure area over southeast Uttar Pradesh and its neighbourhood, along with a trough extending from north Punjab to north Bihar across south Haryana. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation associated with the low-pressure system is observed over central parts of south Uttar Pradesh in the lower tropospheric levels.

Meanwhile, the monsoon is likely to reach Delhi within the next two days, with India Meteorological Department forecasting light to moderate rain and improved weather conditions. The department has issued a yellow alert for the national capital and surrounding areas till Tuesday, warning of rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 50 kmph.

According to IMD, heavy rain is expected over large parts of north and northwest India over the next three days as the southwest monsoon advances further into the region, supported by favourable moisture conditions. The monsoon is likely to arrive in Delhi by June 24. IMD has predicted a normal monsoon.

Despite the forecast of rain from Sunday onward, no significant weather activity was recorded in the capital till late evening. However, the city's air quality continued to improve. Sunday marked the fifth consecutive day of satisfactory air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 92 (on a 0–500 scale) at 4 pm. The improvement was aided by sporadic rain and surface winds, which helped disperse pollutants.