Monsoon 2019: The India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday the onset of monsoon in Kerala is likely to be delayed by a week and it is now expected to arrive in next 48-72 hours, i.e., only by June 8. Meanwhile, the people in the national capital region (NCR) will have to wait for some more days for the monsoon rain. The IMD in its monsoon bulletin said, "It is very likely to shift northwards gradually leading to favourable conditions for onset of Southwest Monsoon over Kerala around June 8. Conditions are likely to become favourable for advance of southwest monsoon into some parts of northeastern states during next 3-4 days."

While a senior Meteorologist at Skymet was quoted as saying that the normal dates of monsoon for Delhi and its adjoining regions fall in the last week of June. It may, however, be delayed by some 10-15 days. "This year monsoon will be weak due to El Nino and global warming. We are hopeful that monsoon rains will take place around 93 per cent, which is even lower than the average," he said. The expert further said that this is the second driest year in the last 65 years.

On Tuesday, the IMD had said the arrival of monsoon could be on June 7. On Saturday, private weather forecaster Skymet too revised its forecast from June 4 to June 7. Last month, announcing the expected day of monsoon arrival over Kerala, the IMD had said it could happen on June 6, with an error margin of plus or minus four days. The Met Department has given a forecast of a normal monsoon for the season.

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Meanwhile, the intense heatwave sweeping northern India persisted on Wednesday, with the mercury hovering around 47 degrees Celsius in many parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh even as there were light rains at isolated places in the region. There was no relief for the national capital, with the mercury crossing the 44-degrees Celsius mark in some parts of the city. The arrival of monsoon is likely to give some respite from the scorching heat.

(With inputs from agencies)