The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an active phase of the southwest monsoon over large parts of the country through July 27, with widespread rainfall, extremely heavy downpours in western India and an increased risk of flash floods in several Himalayan districts.
According to the IMD’s latest weather bulletin, the intensified rainfall is being driven by an active monsoon trough, a western disturbance and favourable upper-air conditions.
Western India to Receive Heaviest Rainfall
The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall over parts of Gujarat, Konkan and Goa, Marathwada and East Rajasthan during the coming days.
- Gujarat Region and Konkan & Goa: Heaviest rainfall expected on July 22 and 23
- Marathwada: Extremely heavy rain likely on July 23
- East Rajasthan: Peak rainfall expected on July 24
Authorities have cautioned that these conditions could lead to urban flooding, overflowing rivers and disruptions to road and rail transport.
Heavy Rain Likely Across North and Central India
Heavy to very heavy rainfall has also been forecast for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir.
In the Himalayan states, continuous rainfall raises the risk of landslides, flash floods and road closures, particularly in vulnerable mountainous areas.
Northwest India is expected to remain under the influence of active monsoon conditions, with widespread rainfall over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Heavy rainfall is likely to persist in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand throughout much of the forecast period, while Punjab, Haryana and Delhi may witness multiple spells of heavy rain. Uttar Pradesh is also expected to receive significant rainfall, particularly between July 22 and 24.
Central and Eastern India to Remain Wet
Central India is forecast to experience widespread rainfall across East and West Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha, with isolated spells of very heavy rainfall. Vidarbha is expected to receive particularly intense rainfall during the early part of the forecast period.
In eastern India, widespread rainfall is expected across Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim. Odisha may receive isolated very heavy rainfall on July 22, while Bihar, Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal are also likely to experience heavy showers over the coming days.
Northeast and Southern India
Monsoon activity is expected to remain active across Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, with Assam and Meghalaya likely to receive heavy rainfall almost every day during the forecast period.
In southern India, rainfall is expected to be comparatively lighter but persistent. Telangana may receive isolated heavy rainfall on July 22, while Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka are expected to witness scattered showers accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds. Rainfall activity over Kerala is likely to increase from July 24.
Travel Advisory
The IMD has warned that persistent heavy rainfall could result in:
- Urban flooding and waterlogging
- Flash floods in vulnerable hilly regions
- Landslides and road blockages
- Poor visibility affecting road travel
- Disruptions to rail and road transport
- Overflowing rivers and inundation of low-lying areas
Travellers are advised to monitor local weather forecasts before planning journeys, avoid flood-prone and landslide-prone areas where possible, check transport advisories and follow instructions issued by local authorities as the active monsoon phase continues across much of the country.
