Pre-monsoon rains in several states, mercury goes down

Pre-monsoon showers in different parts of the country brought maximum temperatures down giving much-needed respite to the people even as four more sun-stroke related deaths were reported from Odisha on Monday.

It was a pleasant day in the national capital where the maximum temperature settled at a comfortable 34 degrees Celsius mark, six notches below the average. The minimum was at 22.7 degrees Celsius, four notches below the normal.

The Safdarjung observatory recorded 7.8 mm rainfall till 8.30 AM while areas under Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar received 4.6 mm, 6.6 mm, 3.5 mm and 5.2 mm rains respectively during the period.

Conditions are "favourable" for the onset of South-West monsoon in Kerala by tomorrow, the India Meteorological Department said.

While south Kerala has been receiving widespread rains since early today, only few places have received rainfall in the northern parts. However, it is likely to improve by tomorrow, IMD Thiruvananthapuram Director S Sudevan told PTI.

Strong winds from westerly direction with speed occasionally exceeding 45-55 kmph are likely off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep.

In Kottayam, three people were injured as a huge tree got uprooted and fell on a house. Heavy rains are likely to occur in the coastal districts of West Bengal tomorrow and the day after due to cyclonic storm 'Mora' which may hit the Bangladesh coast tomorrow. The regional MeT office cautioned the people along and off the coast of West Bengal against venturing into the sea for the two days.

The districts likely to receive heavy rain are South 24-Parganas, North 24-Parganas, East Midnapore and Nadia.

Maximum temperatures dipped across Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan by several notches following varying degrees of rain in the states.