The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a dual weather alert for the nation, forecasting severe heatwave conditions across parts of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring regions, while predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for large swathes of Northeast India, including Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.
Heatwave Intensifies in Northern States
Uttar Pradesh is bracing for intense heat, with severe heatwave conditions expected to persist over both East and West Uttar Pradesh on June 28 and 29. Isolated pockets could experience particularly harsh conditions on June 28. Neighboring Bihar is also under a heatwave forecast for June 28 and 29, with East Madhya Pradesh affected on June 28. Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are expected to endure heatwave conditions between June 28 and June 30.
Temperatures across many areas in East Uttar Pradesh, and isolated locations in Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, have already soared between 40°C and 43°C. Phalodi in Rajasthan registered the country's highest maximum temperature at 43.8°C over the past 24 hours.
Northeast India Prepares for Torrential Rains
In stark contrast, Northeast India is set for a period of widespread and intense rainfall. The IMD predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall across the region over the next five days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is particularly likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on June 28 and 29, and over Assam and Meghalaya on June 28. Arunachal Pradesh is also expected to receive very heavy rainfall on June 29.
Meghalaya has already recorded exceptional rainfall, with 39 cm reported at isolated places in the 24 hours ending 8:30 a.m. on June 28. Extremely heavy rainfall was also noted in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and very heavy rainfall in parts of West Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Monsoon Advances Across India
The southwest monsoon continues its northward journey, with conditions remaining favorable for its further advance into additional parts of the North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next two to three days. The monsoon is also anticipated to cover more areas of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and southeast Rajasthan in the subsequent two to three days.
Beyond the immediate alerts, widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning are forecast for Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh) during the next five days, with isolated very heavy rainfall expected in parts of Madhya Pradesh between July 1 and July 3, and over Vidarbha on July 3 and 4.
Regional Outlook and Warnings
- East India: Bihar and Odisha are likely to receive heavy rainfall, with very heavy rainfall possible between June 30 and July 1.
- Northwest India: Increasing rainfall activity is expected, with widespread rain over Uttarakhand (June 29-July 4), Himachal Pradesh (July 2-4), and Jammu and Kashmir (June 30 onwards). Heavy rainfall is likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and East Uttar Pradesh.
- West India: Konkan and Goa are expected to see widespread rainfall through July 4, with isolated very heavy rainfall on June 28 and again between July 1 and July 4. Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat will also experience heavy rainfall spells.
The IMD has also warned of moderate to intense lightning activity across parts of Central and East India over the next two to three days, urging residents in affected regions to remain alert as the monsoon progresses.