Where is monsoon, ask Delhiites

By IANS

New Delhi : Where are the monsoons? That seems to be the refrain in the capital that waits for proper rain three weeks after the season officially began.


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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the arrival of monsoon in Delhi on June 28, a day before its usual date but there has hardly been any rain since then.

It was a hot and humid day Wednesday and there were no signs of showers. The capital city recorded a minimum temperature of 27.8 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal and the maximum temperature was 37 degrees, two notches above normal.

"Where is monsoon? Though officials have formally announced the arrival of monsoon, it looks like an extended summer," said Sahil Ahemad, a communication specialist.

"It's becoming a routine to reach office completely drenched in sweat. Is it going to rain at all this year?" Ahemad said.

According to statistics available with IMD, the capital has recorded less than 90 mm of rainfall in the last 18 days – far less than what it got last year.

In July 2006, the capital had experienced 313 mm rainfall as against its usual quota of 225.3 mm.

The weather scenario of the past 18 days is also in contrast to what Delhi had in two preceding months of summer.

While in May, the city received over 85 mm of rain – five times the normal figures, in June it received over 150 mm of rains compared to the usual quota of around 55 mm.

Harried residents said that the humid weather coupled with power cut without prior announcement is often making it difficult for them to have a quiet sleep at night after a hot day.

"After a long day's work, it's becoming difficult to sleep. It's too hot at night and the erratic power supply in Delhi is just adding fuel to the fire," said Smarjeet Routray, a marketing executive.

"You cannot sleep without an air cooler. Think about those who are sleeping on pavements!" he added.

Babu Prasad, a tea vendor, was worried. "There is no rain this time and it's affecting my business. I think there is a 40 percent decrease in my sale."

However, weathermen have no hope to offer them.

"It's not Delhi alone. The whole of northwest India is getting less rain. The monsoon system is too weak this time and the winds that brings rain to the capital and the northern states are too week," said IMD director S.C. Bhan.

"We don't see much hope for the next four days. I cannot predict what will happen after that. There is a low pressure area over east Uttar Pradesh but its unlikely to move towards Delhi," Bhan told IANS.

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