Severe heat wave has gripped Delhi, Chandigarh, parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh (UP). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heat wave conditions are expected to stay for the next two days. 

Today, July 1, the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 43.1 degree Celsius (°C), which is 6°C above its normal temperature. Since June 28, the city has been witnessing maximum temperature way beyond its normal temperature. 

Meanwhile, as per the IMD, the southwest monsoon has covered most parts of the country except parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, which are facing severe heat wave conditions. The met department has also informed that since June 19, there has not been any progress of monsoon due to the impact of mid-latitude westerly winds and unfavourable Madden Julian Oscillation and an absence of formation of low pressure system over North Bay of Bengal. The monsoon is unlikely to progress in these remaining parts till July 7.

However, heavy rainfall is expected over northeastern states and Bihar, which could trigger floods, tweeted secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.

10% above normal monsoon rainfall in June  

Whereas the national capital region (NCR) of Delhi is facing severe heat wave and the monsoon has entered a ‘break phase’, India as whole received above normal rainfall of 10 per cent last month in June, informed IMD’s press released issued yesterday. 

As against its normal rainfall of 166.9 millimetre (mm) in the month of June, the country received  182.9 mm rainfall. The highest rainfall departure was recorded in central India at 17 per cent above normal, followed by 14 per cent in northwest India, 4 per cent in south peninsula and 3 per cent in east & northeast India. 

Meanwhile, between June 1 and July 1 this monsoon season, two meteorological sub-divisions in the country — Bihar and East UP have received a ‘large excess’ rainfall. Bihar has recorded a rainfall departure of 105 per cent and East UP at 80 per cent. Large excess rainfall is defined as rainfall which is 60 per cent or above the normal rainfall.

Fourteen meteorological sub-divisions have received excess rainfall. These include West Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Marathwada, Konkan & Goa, Chhattisgarh, etc. 

Eight sub-divisions have received deficient rainfall (minus 59 per cent to minus 20 per cent). 

As per the IMD’s press release issued today, July 1, monthly rainfall for July 2021 over the country as a whole is most likely to be normal (94 per cent to 106 per cent of Long Period Average). The met department will issue the forecast for the rainfall during the second half of the season (August and September, 2021) at the end of July or beginning of August.