Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: With more rains predicted in the coming weeks in the national capital and the surrounding region, monsoon this year is likely to surpass the 1956 record to become the longest recorded rainfall period.
The monsoon arrived in Delhi on June 16 this year, 13 days ahead of schedule. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is expected to withdraw only by October 13, which is likely to see the season last for nearly 120 days.
The normal length of monsoon season over Delhi is only 85 days, with the region recording around 780 mm normal annual rainfall. However this year, between June 1 and September 30, the city has recorded 875.8 mm rainfall.
In view of the current meteorological prediction, Monsoon in 2013 is likely to be the longest over Delhi and NCR, since the department started maintaining records in 1941. Previously, the longest monsoon over Delhi was recorded in 1956 when it lasted 111 days.
"The length of the monsoon this year is likely to surpass the record set in 1956, thus becoming the longest one in the recorded history of IMD," Dr O P Singh, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, said.
