Monsoon showers bring relief for people in northern India

New Delhi/Amritsar/Varanasi, June 15 : People rejoiced as monsoon rains hit northern India on Sunday bringing respite from heat.

In New Delhi, people came out of the houses to enjoy the downpour.

According to meteorological department, rains have arrived this year before the expected date June 29 in New Delhi.

"Monsoon has arrived in Delhi on June 15, two weeks before the expected date. Monsoon had never arrived in Delhi so soon," said B.P Yadav, Director, Meteorological Department.

In Amritsar, the rains did bring cheer but at the same time, people complained of water logging problem.

"Due to water logging, it has become very difficult to commute but the good thing is that the rain has provided us relief from the heat," said Harminder Singh, resident, Amritsar.

On the other hand commuting from one place to another was a major cause of worry in Varanasi, as long stretches of road were water logged.

"Due to water logging we are facing a lot of problems. It is difficult to drive cars. People are unable to commute from one place to another," said Sunil, Resident, Varanasi.

Timely monsoon is vital to the health of India's trillion-dollar economy as it determines farm output and subsequent rural demand for a range of products.

The four-month (June-September) monsoon is the main source of water for irrigation in the country's vast farmlands. Bountiful rains help agricultural output, which contributes a fifth of India's gross domestic product.

ANI