NEW DELHI: The southwest monsoon entered Delhi on Sunday, two days ahead of the normal date, the met department said.

The monsoon's arrival brought widespread rain across NCR, and relief from humid heat, sending the daytime temperature in the capital to the lowest recorded in June in 13 years.Along with 2020 and 2015, this was the earliest arrival of the rain-bearing system in the capital since 2013.

That year had recorded the fastest ever arrival of the monsoon in the capital (June 16), even as a freakish interaction of two weather systems lead to devastating floods in Uttarakhand.With several places in the city recording close to 60mm of rain in 24 hours till Sunday morning, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung plunged to 29 degrees Celsius, 8.2 notches below normal.

This was the lowest day temperature recorded in the month since June 9, 2010, when the mercury had dropped to 26.9 degrees C.Monsooner...

early rains bring maximum and minimum closerThe early arrival of monsoon having brought wet weather in the capital, expect more rain in the next few days.

The met department has issued a “yellow” alert (be aware) from Monday and Tuesday as light to moderate showers are likely.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 23.1 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal.

Even the difference in maximum and minimum temperature was low at just 5.9 degrees due to widespread rain.

The relative humidity on Sunday oscillated from 73% and 100%.

According to India Meteorological Department, most stations in Delhi witnessed moderate showers on the first day of the monsoon.

Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, Palam and Jafarpur logged 48.3, 59.6, 29.6 and 60mm of rainfall, respectively, in 24 hours till 8.30am on Sunday.

Between 8.30am and 5.30 pm, most stations saw light showers, with Safdarjung recording 2.4mm, Palam 7.1mm, Ayanagar 4mm and Pusa 4.5mm rainfall.

India Meteorological Department on Sunday termed the monsoon activity over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi as “vigorous”.

“Since Delhi and adjoining areas received widespread rain, the monsoon activity was considered as vigorous,” said Kuldeep Srivastava, scientist and head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, IMD.

One day of heavy rainfall activity helped in covering the deficiency of the month.

IMD’s data shows that Safdarjung had received just 23.1mm rainfall till Saturday and was staring at a rain deficit.

However, it has now logged 73.8 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm and was set to surpass the normal mark of 74.1mm for June.

Last year, the monsoon arrived in Delhi on June 30 and the onset in the national capital was on July 13 in 2021.

The meteorological department’s forecast says that light to moderate showers are likely on Monday while light rain is expected in the city on Tuesday.

Srivastava said, “Rain activity is likely to continue as the low pressure system formed over northwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move inland into Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.”