Monsoon advancing to northern states, Gujarat, Rajasthan

New Delhi: Many parts of northern India including the national capital as well as central and north-western states received showers on Sunday, bringing cheer to the region where monsoon is likely to progress this week after scanty rains had sparked fears of drought.

"Activity is shifting towards central India and some parts of northwest plains. "Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into remaining parts of west Madhya Pradesh, many more parts of Gujarat, east Rajasthan and some more parts of west Rajasthan," the Indian Meteorological Department said.

The national capital and several parts of north India, which have been reeling under heat wave, may experience some respite and may get good rain from Wednesday.

"Good rain is likely in Delhi from Wednesday July 16 onwards. Rain in Delhi could occur in patches on Monday and will become scattered on Tuesday," Skymet, a private forecasting agency, said, but added temperature is likely to be around 38 degree Celsius and people will continue to sweat as humidity is expected be around 80 per cent.

Gujarat and Rajasthan, which have been experiencing drought-like conditions, are expected to get some relief as monsoon will be making inroads in these states from July 15 onwards.

Skymet said that good rain is in the offing for the next few days, particularly in central, east and the west coast of India.

Monsoon line (NLM) reached some parts of both Gujarat and Rajasthan but is yet to cover the states entirely. However, conditions look favourable for the monsoon line to cover many more parts of Rajasthan and entire Gujarat by this week, it said.

Rain is likely to occur in south east Rajasthan from Tuesday onwards, whereas in Gujarat rain occurred on Saturday and is likely in the southern parts on Monday too. It is expected to increase from July 15 onwards, Skymet said.

The cyclonic circulation over Bay of Bengal has been travelling inland and has already brought good rain over Odisha, Andhra coast and Chhattisgarh.

It will travel further towards central India and continue to bring rain further to west Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, it said.

Overall, the country has received only 43 per cent of rainfall. It has only received 153.4 mm of rainfall as compared to expected rainfall of 270.6 mm.