By Shishir Prashant 
India continued to experience striking weather contrasts on Monday, with torrential rains lashing the northeastern states even as intense heatwave conditions persisted across parts of Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the country’s diverse climatic patterns.
While the southwest monsoon has yet to make its official entry into north India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) expressed optimism that the long-awaited advance is now imminent. According to the weather agency, atmospheric conditions have become favourable for the monsoon to push further north over the next few days.
The IMD said the monsoon is likely to advance into parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand within the next two to three days. During the subsequent two to three days, it is expected to cover larger areas of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, besides extending into parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and southeast Rajasthan.
The forecast comes as several northeastern states continue to grapple with heavy to very heavy rainfall, raising concerns over flooding and landslides. In sharp contrast, residents of parts of Uttar Pradesh endured sweltering temperatures and oppressive humidity, with heatwave conditions refusing to ease despite the approaching monsoon.
Meteorologists say such contrasting weather conditions are not unusual during the monsoon transition period, when different regions of the country remain under the influence of varying weather systems. However, the arrival of the southwest monsoon in north India is expected to bring much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat and improve prospects for the ongoing kharif sowing season.
With favourable conditions now in place, people across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the northern plains are eagerly awaiting the first widespread monsoon showers, which are expected to mark the end of an intense summer spell.
Meanwhile, Dehradun and some other parts of Uttarakhand experienced rainfall in the afternoon.