The monsoon reached Delhi Sunday, a good fortnight ahead of schedule with the maximum temperature plummeting to eight notches below average at 31.5 degree Celsius. Heavy showers are expected Monday.
"The monsoon reached Delhi two weeks ahead of schedule," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said, attributing the advance of the monsoon to "a low pressure area around west Madhya Pradesh". The monsoon was to arrive in Delhi June 29.
Rainfall is expected to continue for the next two to three days, the official added.
The minimum temperature also dipped to four notches below average at 23.7 degree Celsius, bringing relief to residents.
Various parts of the capital received substantial rain, which resulted in accumulation of water and choked drains, leading to traffic snarls at many places. Traffic was affected near Akshardham temple in east Delhi and on Delhi's arterial Ring Road.
Overnight rains also occurred Saturday.
"The low pressure area that has been formed in the area around west Madhya Pradesh has resulted in the early setting of the monsoon here," added the official.
A total of 36.6 millimetre (mm) rainfall was recorded between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.
"The sky will be cloudy Monday and rains and heavy showers are expected in some areas of Delhi," said an IMD official.
Monday's maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 31 and 24 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The monsoon this year had set over Kerala on schedule June 1 and advanced fast, covering the southern, eastern and central states within two weeks.
