Monsoon hits the capital

Pallavi Sharma

New Delhi

Sat, 16 Jun 2007: 

June 16: After experiencing the hottest day of this year, with temperature rising to 44.9 degree celcius, the weather has taken a dip now. day, morning, Delhi was soaked with rain showers that gave quite a relief from the intense heat wave and the scorching sun.

The first monsoon showers have come as a great rescue.

Weather forecasts earlier had predicted light rains and drizzle for the last week of June. The premature appearance of monsoon has been quite a welcome. The morning drizzle has surprised the forecasters and more to the residents who were badly receiving the increased temperatures. The showers have had a healing effect.

The heat wave that struck entire North India, made it difficult to commute in the day time. Even at night temperatures and humidity prevented the people from going out anywhere. But now things are quite right.

Normally, monsoons arrive in the capital in the month of June. This year meterological department had predicted a delay in the arrival. However the monsoon started early and ahead of the scheduled time right from the southern ends of India, Kerala.

Earlier monsoon registered its presence in Andman and Nicobar on May 10 and hit the south (Kerala) coast on May 28, four days ahead of the forecast of its arrival.

Rains by the monsoon this month happen to be very crucial to the agricultural output and subsequent economic activity all over India.

Though rains relieved people of scorching sun and created a pleasant weather all over Delhi, but it is never without problems of some kind. Heavy rains continued since morning and the roads were blocked at many places in Delhi. Heavy traffic jams were witnessed in Shahdra, Laxminagar, Kapsaheda border, Azadpur Mandi and Model town due to waterlogged streets and overflowing drains.

The increased traffic and rains prevented people from reaching their office early and on time.

The previous evening, there were light showers but monsoon manifested itself fully in the morning when it rained for at least one hour heavily and turned the streets into ponds.

After a long wait monsoon obliged the people by an early appearance.