· Heavy Rainfall Warning issued in West Bengal and Sikkim as IMD issues red alert for extremely heavy rainfall today.
· Northeast India is facing persistent heavy to very heavy rainfall and an orange alert has been issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and other regions.
· Delhi-NCR remains hot with temperatures around 40°C as residents await the monsoon expected in the first week of July.
· Thunderstorms and strong winds are likely in northern states including Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan in the next few days.
· Heatwaves persist in eastern Uttar Pradesh while coastal regions face rough seas, safety alert issued for fishermen.
India is witnessing rapidly changing weather conditions. Monsoon activity has resulted in widespread heavy rainfall across eastern and northeastern India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the sub-Himalayan regions of West Bengal and Sikkim. These regions are expected to experience extremely heavy downpours, with rainfall amounts exceeding 204.5mm in some regions, raising concerns about flooding, landslides and disruption to normal life. The situation reflects the growing strength of the southwest monsoon as it continues its steady advance across the subcontinent.
Several northeastern states including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rains. These areas are on an orange alert, with authorities advising residents to remain cautious as prolonged downpours could cause waterlogging and localized flooding.
Delhi will wait longer for the monsoon to arrive
As heavy rain continues to lash eastern and northeastern India, residents of Delhi-NCR will have to wait a little longer for the arrival of the southwest monsoon. According to the latest weather forecast, the national capital is likely to witness the formal arrival of monsoon only in the first week of July.
The city is expected to experience a maximum temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius. While wet conditions will continue throughout the day, isolated showers accompanied by gusty winds in the evening may provide temporary relief from the prevailing heat. Meteorologists believe that the delay in the arrival of the monsoon is due to its slow progress to the north, despite favorable atmospheric conditions developing over northern India.
Thunderstorms and strong winds in northern India
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds in several northern states including Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttarakhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Rajasthan. The wind speed can reach 40-50 kmph and in some parts of eastern Rajasthan the wind speed can reach 40 kmph.
Stronger wind activity is predicted in Jharkhand with gusts reaching 60 kmph at some places. Authorities advised people to avoid open fields, stay away from trees and utility poles during thunderstorms and seek shelter in safe areas when severe weather occurs.
Monsoon is approaching Central and Northern India.
The southwest monsoon is steadily moving towards the central and northern parts of the country. Favorable conditions are expected for its further advance into Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, remaining parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next three to four days. As the monsoon zone expands, rainfall activity is likely to increase significantly, providing much-needed relief from the prolonged summer heat in many regions.
Apart from the northeastern states, heavy rainfall is also expected in Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Konkan and Goa, Kerala, coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and north interior Karnataka. Many low-lying areas in these states may face waterlogging, while isolated places remain vulnerable to flash floods.
Heat wave persists in eastern Uttar Pradesh
Despite increased rainfall in several parts of the country, the heatwave continues to impact eastern Uttar Pradesh where the severe hot weather is expected to continue. Parts of western Uttar Pradesh may also experience heat waves while parts of Odisha are likely to experience uncomfortably hot and humid weather. Health experts have advised people to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and limit unnecessary outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, temperature trends indicate a gradual increase of two to four degrees Celsius across Maharashtra until June 29, after which no significant change is expected. Central India may also see a temporary rise in temperatures before a slight drop later in the week.
Fishermen advised to stay away from the sea
The IMD has also warned of rough sea conditions over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Wind speeds over the Arabian Sea may range from 45 to 65 kmph, affecting coastal areas of Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep. Similar conditions are expected in parts of the Bay of Bengal. Fishermen are strongly advised not to go out to sea until weather conditions improve.
As weather conditions continue to change across the country, authorities urged citizens and farmers to remain vigilant, monitor official forecasts and take necessary precautions against heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and heat waves. With the monsoon expected to strengthen further in the coming days, significant changes in weather are likely across most parts of India.