Gurgaon: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said weather conditions are favourable for the onset of monsoon over parts of Haryana, including the city, within the next 48 hours.While the city did not record rainfall till Wednesday evening, IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds besides light to moderate rain over the next two days, and the likelihood of isolated heavy rainfall till July 7.The department said southwest monsoon on Wednesday advanced into parts of Haryana from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. It is now expected to make further progress over the rest of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan during the next two days.The changing weather pattern was reflected in temperatures across Haryana. The state’s average maximum temperature dropped by 6.1 degrees Celsius compared with Tuesday and remained 6.1 degrees below normal. Gurgaon recorded a maximum temperature of 31°C, about 6.9 degrees below normal. The city, however, did not receive measurable rainfall till 5.30pm on Wednesday.District-wise forecasts indicate rainfall activity will gradually intensify over the next five days. While isolated showers are expected in Gurgaon on Thursday, rainfall coverage is likely to increase from Friday onwards, with many stations in south Haryana, including Gurgaon, expected to receive rain by the weekend. Thunderstorm activity is also likely to persist across most districts during the period.The weather office has advised residents to prepare for waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic congestion, slippery roads and temporary disruptions to civic services during periods of heavy rain. It has also cautioned people against taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms, venturing into waterlogged stretches or going near water bodies. Farmers have been advised to avoid keeping harvested crops in the open and to suspend field operations during thunderstorms.
