The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for widespread heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across various regions as the southwest monsoon strengthens and advances further into the country. The forecast, covering June 25 to July 1, indicates an active phase of the rainy season, with conditions favorable for the monsoon to progress into additional parts of northwest India, including Delhi, over the coming days.
Monsoon's Advance Across Northwest India
Northwest India is bracing for a week of increased rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to see intermittent rainfall with isolated heavy showers on June 25 and 26. Himachal Pradesh faces a prolonged wet spell, with heavy rain anticipated from June 26 to June 30.
Punjab's rainfall activity is set to intensify towards the week's end, with isolated heavy rain likely on June 27 and 28. Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are also expected to experience widespread showers, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast on June 29 and 30.
Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are among the regions predicted to be most affected. Uttarakhand can expect widespread rainfall throughout the forecast period, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall from June 27 to July 1. Uttar Pradesh will see rainfall intensify from June 27, with isolated heavy showers continuing through July 1.
Central India and West Coast Brace for Intense Rains
Monsoon activity across Central India is expected to remain vigorous through June. Madhya Pradesh is forecast to receive widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers on June 25 and 26, continuing with heavy rainfall at isolated locations through June 30.
Vidarbha is also predicted to experience significant rainfall, with heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 25 and 26, followed by continued heavy showers through June 30. Chhattisgarh expects strong rainfall activity with isolated heavy rainfall between June 25 and June 29. These widespread rains are crucial for improving soil moisture and supporting agricultural activities in the region.
The west coast will continue to receive some of the heaviest rainfall. Konkan and Goa are likely to witness widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall from June 25 to June 30, and a possibility of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations on June 25. Madhya Maharashtra and the Gujarat region will also experience heavy to very heavy rainfall as the monsoon strengthens further.
Eastern, Northeastern, and Southern Regions Under Monsoon Influence
East and Northeast India will see continued rainfall activity through July 1. Bihar anticipates increased rainfall intensity towards the week's end, with isolated heavy showers on June 27 and 28. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, along with Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, are forecast for heavy rainfall in various spells.
Further south, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are likely to witness isolated heavy rainfall on June 25 and 26. The southern states, including Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Mahe, are also expected to experience active monsoon conditions with widespread and isolated heavy showers throughout the forecast period.
Thunderstorm and Gusty Wind Warnings
Beyond rainfall, the IMD has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph and gusts up to 50 kmph, particularly across northwest, central, and eastern India. These conditions could lead to localized waterlogging, reduced visibility, and temporary disruptions to transport and outdoor activities.
The weather department confirmed that conditions are favorable for the southwest monsoon to advance into the remaining parts of the North Arabian Sea, additional areas of Rajasthan, the remaining parts of West Uttar Pradesh, and more parts of Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi in the next two to three days. This period is expected to mark one of the most widespread phases of monsoon activity so far this season across much of India.