Sweltering Delhi to get monsoon rains this week

New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) As the capital continued to bake in the searing heat, the weatherman Monday held out hope of pre-monsoon showers over the next two days and the monsoon arriving at the end of the week.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said there were 'definite signs of the monsoon progressing in northern parts of the country'.

Meanwhile, the heat wave continued unabated, with the maximum temperature shooting up six degrees above the season's normal to 41.8 degrees Celsius Monday.

'The monsoon will arrive in the capital at the end of the week,' S.C.Bhan, scientist, IMD told IANS. The monsoon generally arrives in Delhi on June 29.

According to IMD, Tuesday the skies will be partly cloudy and light showers are expected.

'Skies will be partly cloudy, with rain and thundershowers in some areas tomorrow. The maximum and minimum temperatures are

expected to be 41 and 33 degrees Celsius respectively,' an official said.

Bhan told IANS: 'We now have very definite signs of the monsoon, it is progressing in northern parts of the country.

'Conditions are favourable for further advance of the monsoon to remaining parts of Maharashtra and some more parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh during the next 48 hours,' he added.

Bhan said the deficit rainfall in June is likely to be compensated in July and August.

'July and August together contribute about 70 percent of the rains as they are the two crucial months (for the monsoon),' he said, adding that in June and September 'only 30 percent rains' is generally expected.

The capital experienced one of the hottest June in five years, with average maximum temperature being around 40.7 degrees Celsius. On 27 of the 30 days, the temperature remained above 40

degrees, the official said.

'Usually, after June 15 we see a marginal relief from the heat wave and some pre-monsoon rain. However, this year it was unusually hot,' he said.

Meanwhile, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman said that the monsoon is late and it could 'be a week

to 10 days late'. He however, added that a late monsoon did not mean 'that it is going to have hugely negative effect'.

The humidity Monday touched a maximum of 67 and minimum of 37 percent. The minimum temperature was 32.3 degrees Celsius - five notches above average.

Sunday's maximum temperature was seven notches above average at 43.2 degree Celsius, while the minimum was four notches above at 31.4 degrees Celsius.

The hot and oppressive weather conditions have forced the Delhi government to extend summer vacations in its schools and some private schools by a week till July 9.

The intense heat also pushed up the power demand to an all time high - peaking at 5,454 MW (megawatts).

Power department officials said if the current trend continues, the consumption will cross the projected power demand of 5,500 MW.