Chandigarh, June 16 -- As the city waits with bated breath for showers to bring relief from the soaring temperatures, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast pre-monsoon rain towards the weekend, to be followed soon by the monsoon.

"Currently, a Western Disturbance is active over the region, which may cause on-and-off rainfall over the next few days. However, rain activity is expected to pick up again by the weekend, especially around Sunday. This will be due to the onset of easterly winds, a telltale sign of the monsoon's arrival in the region," said Surender Paul, director, IMD Chandigarh.

Pre-monsoons are defined as showers that start at least 48 hours before monsoon's advent is declared.

Paul added that the monsoon s...