The southwest monsoon has advanced further across northern and western India and is expected to reach Delhi within the next two days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency said conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to progress into the national capital as well as adjoining areas of Haryana and Chandigarh, bringing widespread rainfall and relief from the prevailing heat.

In its latest update, the IMD said the monsoon has extended into additional parts of the North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It has also covered the remaining parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir, and further areas of Haryana and Punjab. The steady advance reflects the seasonal progression of the southwest monsoon across large parts of the country after gathering momentum over the past few days.

The weather department stated that atmospheric conditions continue to support further advancement of the monsoon into more parts of the North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab and sections of Rajasthan during the next 48 hours. If the current weather pattern persists, Delhi is expected to officially come under the influence of the southwest monsoon within this period.

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For the national capital, the IMD has forecast a week-long spell of wet weather. The city is likely to witness generally cloudy skies accompanied by moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning over the next seven days. Intermittent showers are expected to bring down daytime temperatures while increasing humidity levels, a typical feature of the monsoon season.

The expected rainfall is likely to provide relief from the summer heat but may also lead to waterlogging, traffic congestion and disruptions in low-lying areas during periods of intense showers. Residents have been advised to remain alert during thunderstorms, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and monitor official weather advisories for updates on changing conditions.

The southwest monsoon is India's primary rainy season, typically accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the country's annual rainfall. Its timely arrival is crucial for agriculture, water reservoirs and overall economic activity. With the monsoon now approaching Delhi and continuing its advance across northern India, weather conditions are expected to become increasingly favourable for widespread rainfall over the coming days.

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