Independence Day is likely to bring relief to the people in Delhi this year in the form of rains. The Capital,which has received barely two days of monsoon showers this season,is expected to start getting rains around August 15,suggest the latest forecasts. The monsoon,which is currently in a break phase and bringing rains only in the foothills of the Himalayas and parts of North East,is likely to move southwards in the next three to four days. Subsequently,it is seen shifting northwards and expected to bring rains in Delhi,northwest Uttar Pradesh,Punjab,Haryana,Jammu and Kashmir around August 14. According to the latest predictions,Delhi will have an overcast sky and receive intermittent showers on August 15 which might dampen the Independence Day celebrations. The next day,August 16,is expected to bring good rains. Delhi has so far received scanty rainfall,more than 60 per cent below normal. The rains in the latter half of this month are absolutely crucial considering that the retreat of monsoon from the northwest India starts in the first week of September.
