Monsoon rains arrive in Delhi, Mumbai same day

The monsoon arrived in Delhi and Mumbai, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared on Sunday, making it the first time since 1961 when the annual rains arrived on the two megapolises - 1,500km apart - at the same time.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI: The normal date of monsoon onset for Mumbai is June 11 and for Delhi June 27, but this year, the rain clouds followed an unusual path to cover the country with a lag over several western states.

"The last time the monsoon covered both Delhi and Mumbai at the same time was June 21, 1961. That year, the monsoon covered the remaining parts of the country on the same day," said an IMD official on Sunday, asking not to be named. Till this weekend, the rains had mostly covered the southern peninsula and parts of east and northeast India.

Safdarjung, which represents Delhi's weather, recorded 48.3mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period till 8.30am on Sundaymost of it being recorded in the early hours. Another 2.4mm of rainfall was added between 8.30am and 5.30pm, IMD data showed.

These overcast conditions meant Delhi's maximum stayed below 30 degrees Celsius through the day and was recorded at 29.0 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung - eight degrees continued on below normal and the lowest for June in at least 12 years, IMD data showed. The last time Delhi had a lower maximum in June was June 9, 2010, when it was 26.9 degrees Celsius.