Sultry weather in North, monsoon may be delayed by a week

New Delhi, Jun 24: The southwest monsoon may take another week to hit north India, the weatherman said, even as sultry weather prevailed in the region on Tuesday causing much discomfort to people.

Near-normal temperatures were recorded in most places but humidity remained high making people uncomfortable in the national capital and other states in the north.

The monsoon, which usually hits Rajasthan by mid or late June, was nowhere active in north India, and it may be delayed by one more week if favourable weather conditions do not prevail in the state, a Met official said, adding that it had moved up to Maharashtra.

Delhiites had to sweat it out as humidity remained high a day after light rains were experienced in the city, and the mercury hit a notch below the 40 degrees mark.

Humidity levels were recorded between 73 and 40 per cent, while the maximum settled at 39 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, and minimum remained a point below normal at 26.5 degrees Celsius, Met department said.

Intermittent rains brought some relief from the scorching heat but caused humidity levels to shoot up in the city. The national capital recorded 3 mm of rainfall till 8:30 am but no rainfall was registered during the day today.

Two days after several parts of Punjab and Haryana received light rains, high humidity persisted with temperatures hovering close to 40 degrees level.

Bhiwani in Haryana was hottest in the region recording a maximum of 39.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Hisar 39.5, Narnaul 35.5 and Ambala 35.4 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, Patiala and Ludhiana recorded near similar maximums of 38.6 degrees Celsius and 38.4 degrees Celsius while Amritsar's high settled at 39.4 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh recorded a maximum of 37.7 degrees Celsius.

PTI