The southwest monsoon is on track to reach Delhi-NCR around its normal onset date of 27 June, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), potentially ending weeks of oppressive heat and humidity that have gripped the National Capital Region. The system has now firmly established itself over Bihar and is advancing steadily through central and eastern India.

Current Monsoon Position

The IMD confirmed that the southwest monsoon entered parts of Bihar on 11 June and advanced further across the state on 12 June. Rainfall activity has remained active over eastern India since then, with the department forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places in Bihar on 24 June.

On 22 June, the monsoon pushed into additional parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar. Notably, it reached Mumbai — a key milestone in its northward march — bringing heavy overnight rainfall to the country's financial capital. The IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Palghar early on Wednesday as heavy showers continued across the region.

Will Delhi Miss Its Normal Onset Date

The normal onset date for the southwest monsoon over Delhi is 27 June. However, the system's advance stalled for nearly two weeks earlier this month, and its arrival over Kerala was also delayed, leading some meteorologists to suggest the capital could miss its normal date.

If current atmospheric conditions remain favourable, Delhi could still witness monsoon onset around 27 June. But any disruption in the system's progress may push the onset date to between 5 July and 8 July, according to meteorologists. The IMD has not officially revised Delhi's monsoon onset date, nor indicated any delay extending into the second week of July.

Meteorologists note that the exact onset depends on monsoon wind strength, moisture availability, and prevailing atmospheric conditions over northwest India. This is consistent with a pattern seen in several recent years, where monsoon progress through central India has not always translated into a timely Delhi arrival.

Dust Storm Brings Temporary Relief to Delhi

Meanwhile, Delhi and adjoining parts of the NCR experienced a sudden spell of severe weather on Tuesday, as intense dust storms and powerful winds disrupted normal life. The IMD issued a Red Alert for at least three hours, warning that wind speeds could reach 100 kmph in isolated areas.

The dramatic weather shift began around 2:30 pm, when urgent advisories were issued for Delhi and neighbouring areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Strong gusts swept across the capital, reducing visibility significantly as thick clouds of dust engulfed roads and residential localities. Thunderstorms and lightning activity were also forecast across several parts of the region.

Meteorologists attributed the storm to above-normal temperatures that had created favourable atmospheric conditions, building up energy that triggered the sudden storm activity. The event provided temporary relief from the intense heat gripping the region.

Widespread Rainfall Forecast Across India

For 24 June, the IMD predicted widespread rainfall along the west coast and across parts of eastern and northeastern India. Heavy to very heavy rainfall was forecast in Konkan and Goa, Coastal Karnataka, Assam and Meghalaya, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim. The weather department also warned of thunderstorms, lightning, intense to very intense rainfall, and winds ranging between 40 and 60 kmph in parts of Maharashtra.

The pace of monsoon advancement over northwest India in the coming days will be the decisive factor for millions of residents in Delhi and neighbouring cities still waiting for relief from the season's heat.