New Delhi, July 11: Twenty people were killed by lightning in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as many places in north India received showers on Sunday but the long-delayed monsoon missed yet another date with Delhi which was kept waiting for rains.
The IMD, however, predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in north region by Monday morning. Several parts of Rajasthan received rainfall where 10 people, including seven children, were killed in separate incidents after being struck by lightning which also injured 13 people. Thirteen animals, including 10 goats a cow, were also killed by lightning.
Ten people, including two teenagers, were also killed by lightning in Uttar Pradesh where rains occurred at isolated parts of the state. In yet another rain-related incident, three people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed at a village in Uttarakhand after their house collapsed in a landslide caused due to heavy rains.
In the south, incessant rain continued to batter parts of Kerala as the weatherman issued an Orange alert for five northern districts of the state.
The IMD also advised fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea, predicting squally weather and strong winds off the Gujarat coast along with heavy rains in some parts till July 14.
As there was little relief from the unforgiving heat throughout the day in many parts of north India, the IMD said conditions are rife for advancement of Southwest Monsoon over Delhi as humidity has also increased due to easterlies, and formation of a low pressure area will also boost its advancement. “We are expecting light rainfall on Sunday and good spell on Monday,” India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
As monsoon played truant in the region, Central Delhi is now the most rain-deficient district in India, receiving only 8.5 mm rainfall against the normal of 125.1 mm since June 1, when the monsoon season starts, thus recording a shortfall of 93 per cent.
Overall, Delhi has received 64 per cent less rainfall than normal so far, putting it in the category of “large deficient” states.
The maximum temperature in the national capital settled at 39 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season’s average, while the minimum settled at 28.8 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal.
Sultry weather conditions also prevailed in Haryana and Punjab with maximum temperatures hovering above the normal limits at most places. Hisar in Haryana recorded a high of 40.8 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal limits while Bhiwani recorded a high of 40.7 deg C.
In Punjab too, the temperatures hovered above normal at most places, with Patiala recording a high of 38.2 deg C, up two degrees. (PTI)
