The Monsoons are here, says IMD

Bringing respite to Delhiites, the monsoon has finally arrived in the national capital, confirmed the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Speaking to ANI, Charan Singh, IMD, said that today, south west monsoon has set in Delhi.

"Even some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and some hilly which had not received rainfall, have received monsoon. Some spells in Delhi may be heavy, after three-four days, the intensity of the rainfall will reduce," Singh said.

"At present, the northwest part of India is likely to express good rainfall in the next 48 hours. The distribution may be fairly widespread to widespread with isolated heavy rainfall in some areas. Uttarakhand may see isolated, heavy to very heavy rain in the next couple of days," he added.

Pre-monsoon showers lashed Delhi since Thursday evening. On Friday evening, the city received 16 mm of rain.

The normal date for monsoon to hit Delhi was June 29.

This year, the monsoon was a week late in reaching Kerala, the first place in India that receives monsoon rains.

According to the long-range forecast, rains this monsoon season will be above the normal range. North-western India, which includes Delhi are expected to get good rains after two years.

June, however, ended with a rain deficit which is expected to be made up in this month and next month also.