IMD Forecast & Monsoon Update Across India
Widespread rainfall to very heavy showers are forecasted for the next 4–5 days in many Indian states. Several red, orange and yellow warnings have been issued as powerful weather systems continue to drive heavy rain, storms and strong winds across the country.
1. Nationwide Summary
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the southwest monsoon is in a hurry to cover the entire country. Heavy to very heavy rain will pummel many locations over the next 4 to 5 days. A few places could also experience thunderstorms, gusty winds and squalls. IMD has already given weather warnings to caution people.
The monsoon has already arrived in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Now, it is set to travel to Uttar Pradesh, and soon, to Delhi-NCR.
An area of low pressure over Gujarat and a vigorous monsoon trough are causing more rain. As a result, IMD has issued red, orange and yellow alerts for different states.
2. Regional Round-Up
- Gujrat: Monsoon has already covered almost entire Gujarat, ahead of anticipated arrival. On June 17, 208 of the state’s 252 taluka experienced rain. A few locations witnessed very heavy rain, such as Botad that received 191 mm.
Heavy rain will lash districts like Vadodara, Chhota Flush, Aravalli, Dahod and Navsari due to the low-pressure area situated near Saurashtra.
Alerts: IMD has released red and orange alerts for these areas.
- Delhi & NCR: Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad are on weather alert. IMD on June 18 issued orange alert for thunderstorm, lightning, gusty winds (speed reaching 50-60 kmph) and moderate rainfall. Earlier in the day on June 17, a red alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms had also been in effect.
Therefore, the weather has been a massive inconvenience. Officials redirected 14 flights, and delayed some 400 others.
- Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, etc.): Assam and Meghalaya will experience heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds on 18 and 19 June. For this reason, the red alert has been issued in both the states by the IMD. The alert may be downgraded to orange by June 20, when the weather may begin to improve slightly.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority, meanwhile, has said that there are possibilities of landslides, waterlogging and disruption of traffic in low-lying and hilly areas. Arunachal Pradesh too will receive heavy to very heavy rain on June 18-24 with a few places receiving extremely heavy rain from June 18 to 19.
- Jharkhand & Odisha: The monsoon reached Jharkhand on June 17.
- Maharashtra (Pune, Konkan etc): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Pune and adjacent Western Ghats regions such as Kolhapur and Satara. Red alert has been issued for Raigad owing to the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall. Those alerts remain in effect through June 18.
Recent rains have improved some dam levels, boosting water storage across the state.
- Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu: Isolated heavy to very heavy rain with gale winds (40-50 km/h) will be witnessed over Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Most of these areas are also under orange alerts, with red alerts in place for isolated very heavy rainfall over Gujarat and Kerala as well.
- Uttar Pradesh & Northern States: The monsoon will advance to eastern Uttar Pradesh on June 20 and 21. On the basis of rain and cloud cover temperature from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius has dropped. Heat enveloped District recorded the highest 35.7 degrees in Lucknow.
More rain and thunderstorm are forecast in the next few days by weather experts. Heavy rain over parts of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP possible on June 20-21.
- Himachal Pradesh: Pre-monsoon rains have started across Himachal Pradesh and will likely continue until June 22. The monsoon is expected to arrive around June 25. Some areas may see heavy to very heavy rainfall with lightning this week.
3. Weather Patterns Behind the Monsoon Surge
- A low-pressure area over Gujarat is pushing in a lot of moisture, rain, and strong winds, which is bringing heavy rainfall to western and central India.
- At the same time, a monsoon trough over central India is making weather conditions more intense. This system is also causing thunderstorms with wind speeds of 50–60 km/h in some areas.
- Also, a western disturbance is now interacting with cyclonic circulations over Punjab and the Bay of Bengal. These combined systems are speeding up the monsoon’s arrival in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Gangetic West Bengal.
4. Monsoon Impacts & Safety Tips
Travel Disruptions
- In Delhi–NCR, around 14 flights were diverted, and hundreds faced delays due to bad weather.
- Heavy rain caused landslides, waterlogging, and transport problems in parts of Assam, Meghalaya, and Pune.
Local Hazards
- Floods and landslides are a major risk in Assam, Meghalaya, and other hilly parts of Northeast India. Authorities have put these zones on high alert.
- Strong winds and lightning are affecting many parts of Central and Eastern India. People should: Stay indoors during storms, avoid open or low-lying areas, secure loose items outdoors
Heat Relief
- Monsoon has also brought relief from the heat as Indore and Uttar Pradesh have started experiencing cooler weather.
Stay Safe During Floods:
Cancel non-essential travel, particularly in high-risk areas such as Assam and Meghalaya. Obey evacuation orders immediately. Stock food, water and medicines at home. Stay informed with news and weather. And avoid roads that typically flood.
Weather Outlook (June 18–24):
A lot of the Indian subcontinent will experience heavy rain and storms between June 18 and 24. Red alerts for June 18-19 stand issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Jharkhand and Northeast India. Southwest Deccan areas (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) will receive heavy rain and gusty wind on 18-20 June. Rain shifts over the next three days to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana from June 20-22.
Final Note
The 2025 monsoon is opening with a flourish. Heavy rain and storms in India are the result of active weather systems. Stay safe, stay cautious, and get ready as the monsoon ramps up next week.
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