Monsoon Running Late? Delhi May Have To Wait Till July As Heat Lingers
Monsoon Running Late? Delhi May Have To Wait Till July As Heat Lingers Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 23:09 IST Southwest monsoon arrival
Monsoon Running Late? Delhi May Have To Wait Till July As Heat Lingers Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 23:09 IST Southwest monsoon arrival in Delhi delayed to first week of July, low pressure over Bay of Bengal missing, India faces 41 percent rainfall deficit. Delhi may have to wait until the first week of July for the arrival of the southwest monsoon, instead of its usual onset around June 27, due to the absence of favourable weather systems over the Bay of Bengal, weather experts said on Thursday. According to meteorologists, the crucial low-pressure system that typically develops over the Bay of Bengal around mid-June and helps push moisture-laden winds towards northwest India has not formed yet, delaying the monsoon’s progress. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet said a favourable weather system is now expected to develop around June 25-26. “We expect a favourable system to develop over the Bay of Bengal around June 25-26, after which the monsoon is likely to reach Delhi during the first week of July rather than June 27, which is the expected onset," he said.
Monsoon Advance Stalled Experts explained that under normal circumstances, a low-pressure area forms over the Bay of Bengal around June 18-19, helping draw moisture from the Arabian Sea and aiding the monsoon’s advance across eastern and northern India. However, the absence of this system has stalled the monsoon over parts of southern Maharashtra and prevented further progress towards northwestern India. IMD scientist Krishna Mishra said the current monsoon flow from the Arabian Sea has weakened and lacks the strong surge typically associated with monsoon advancement. “The current monsoon flow lacks a strong surge from the Arabian Sea," Mishra said. Rainfall Deficit Widens The delay comes as India records a significant rainfall deficit. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the country received 42.6 mm of rainfall between June 4 and June 18 against a normal of 72.2 mm, representing a deficit of 41 per cent. Central India has recorded the highest shortfall at 67 per cent, followed by east and northeast India at 42 per cent. The southern peninsula reported a deficit of 22 per cent, while northwest India recorded a shortfall of 6 per cent.
The IMD said the absence of favourable large-scale meteorological conditions has been the primary reason behind the monsoon’s stalled advance in recent days. Pre-Monsoon Showers Likely In Delhi While the monsoon remains some distance away, Delhi is expected to witness pre-monsoon thunderstorms and isolated rainfall over the coming days. The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain at isolated places and said rainfall activity could continue until June 21. Generally cloudy skies are expected to persist thereafter. Palawat clarified that the current spell of thunderstorms is linked to a western disturbance over central Pakistan and cyclonic circulations over north India rather than the monsoon itself. “This is typical pre-monsoon weather activity and is not linked to the monsoon’s advance," he said. Temperatures Remain Above Normal Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, slightly above normal for this time of year. The Ridge weather station recorded the highest temperature at 40.3 degrees Celsius, while Ayanagar touched 40 degrees Celsius. The city’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 157, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
The BriefWire