Pre-monsoon showers in Delhi by June-end: Official

Delhi and its neighbouring states can expect some respite from the sweltering heat with a Met official on Saturday predicting pre-monsoon showers in the region by month-end.

"Northern India including Delhi is likely to witness pre-monsoon showers by June-end or the start of July. The monsoon is expected to reach Delhi by the first week of July," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Ajit Tyagi told IANS.

The monsoon Saturday further advanced into the central India, leading to rainfall in some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Chattisgarh.

Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over west coast, Assam and Meghalaya, east Uttar Pradesh during next 48 hours.

"Current meteorological conditions and forecasts suggest that rainfall is likely to occur in many places over east and central India. It will lead to advance of southwest monsoon over remaining parts of east and central India and may also into some parts of northwest India," Tyagi said.

The monsoon had completely covered Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh by Saturday.

"Following the advance of the monsoon, the plains of northwest India are likely to experience thundershower activity from the beginning of July, giving respite from high temperatures," he said.

Northwest India covers Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

The IMD has forecast a below average monsoon this year with country likely to receive only 93 per cent of the expected rainfall.

According to Met officials, northwest India will receive 81 percent of the average rainfall, which is the lowest in the country.