Pre-monsoon showers likely in Uttarakhand from June 15, to bring respite from heat

DEHRADUN: Pre-monsoon showers, likely to lash parts of Uttarakhand from June 15 onwards, is set to bring respite from the blistering heat in the plain areas of the hill state. Initially, rain and thunderstorm activity will occur in Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh districts. Afterwards, other places in the state will also receive showers, according to forecast of the Met department.
Bikram Singh, director, regional meteorological centre, told TOI, “Rain and thunderstorm activity, likely to start on Wednesday, will bring down temperatures. The mercury has been hovering at least 5-7 degrees Celsius above normal in most places in Uttarakhand. Once the rains start, the maximum temperatures will start dropping from June 16 evening and settle at the normal level.”
On Monday, the maximum temperature in Dehradun was recorded at 41.3 degrees Celsius, almost seven notches above normal. Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district also saw day temperatures breaching 39 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand is staring at an 80% rain deficit in the first 13 days of June, which is the first month of the three-month monsoon season.
All 13 districts in the state have recorded less than normal rainfall. The state recorded massive rain deficits in both April and March, recording excess rainfall only in May.
Met officials said that monsoon is likely to arrive in Uttarakhand between June 20 and 25.