Mercury rises in Delhi as monsoon withdraws; east India braces for rain

Navratri week begins with clear skies in Delhi; Many parts of India remain under alert for heavy rainfall amid low-pressure systems developing in the Bay of Bengal

Delhi residents woke up to a warmer Monday morning, with humid conditions marking the first day of the festival of Navratri.

 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast clear skies throughout the week, with maximum temperatures between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius and minimums around 23 to 25 degrees Celsius. Dry northwesterly winds and strong sunlight will make conditions hotter.

 

The city last received rain on September 18 and 19, totalling 52 mm. Despite only eight rainy days this month, Delhi has recorded 136.1 mm, above the monthly normal of 123.5 mm. The monsoon withdrawal line passes through Bhatinda, Fatehabad, Pilani, Ajmer, Deesa, and Bhuj and is expected to progress further over northwest India in 24 hours. 

 

 

Air quality in Delhi remained moderate, with the AQI recorded at 135 at 8 am on September 22, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Monsoon continues to retreat

The southwest monsoon is gradually retreating from northwest India. The withdrawal line currently passes through Bhatinda, Fatehabad, Pilani, Ajmer, Deesa, and Bhuj. Conditions are favourable for further withdrawal from parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh in the next 24 to 48 hours.

With the retreat, Delhi and surrounding areas are expected to experience mainly clear skies and rising temperatures, marking the start of the dry, post-monsoon period.

Himachal monsoon claims 448 lives

Since June 20, heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh have killed 448 people, 261 from rain-related disasters and 187 from road accidents. Mandi and Chamba were the worst-hit. Infrastructure, agriculture, and homes suffered massive damage, with losses exceeding ₹4,841 crore. Over 29,000 animals lost their lives. While restoration works are underway, landslide and flash flood risks persist. 

30 districts of Odisha brace for heavy rain

IMD forecasts rainfall across all 30 districts due to two low-pressure systems forming in the Bay of Bengal. An ‘Orange warning’ is in effect for Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha for heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30 to 40 kmph). ‘Yellow warnings’ cover Koraput, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Bhadrak, Cuttack, and Puri.

Jharkhand and Andhra to see heavy rainfall

Jharkhand will see heavy rain until September 26, with yellow alerts for Simdega, West Singhbhum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, and East Singhbhum. Isolated thunderstorms with gusty winds (30 to 40 kmph) may cause temperature drops of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. Palganj recorded 70 mm rainfall, Jamshedpur 36-degree Celsius.

 

In Andhra Pradesh, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected from September 21 to 27 across North and South Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, and Yanam, with gusty winds of 30 to 50 kmph. The system is linked to an upper air cyclonic circulation over the northeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining coasts of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Residents are advised to remain alert.