New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain alert for 18 states as an active southwest monsoon, aided by a western disturbance and cyclonic circulations, is expected to bring widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across large parts of the country.

The southwest monsoon remains active across much of India, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for 18 states on Sunday. Several regions are also likely to witness thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds over the next 24 hours.

According to the IMD, the current weather pattern is being influenced by the monsoon trough stretching across North India, a western disturbance and multiple cyclonic circulations, resulting in widespread rainfall across northern, eastern and northeastern states.

States under heavy rain alert

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in:

  • Assam and Meghalaya
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura
  • Bihar
  • Jharkhand
  • Gangetic West Bengal
  • Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim
  • Odisha
  • East Uttar Pradesh
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Punjab
  • Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand
  • Jammu and Kashmir

Flooding, waterlogging, rising river levels and landslides remain possible in vulnerable areas, particularly in the Northeast and Himalayan states.

Delhi-NCR to receive rain

Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and other parts of the National Capital Region are expected to witness thunderstorms and intermittent rainfall, with isolated heavy showers possible. While the rain may provide temporary relief from the heat, humidity is expected to remain high over the coming days.

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on alert

The monsoon has become active once again over Uttar Pradesh. Heavy rainfall is likely in eastern districts, including Gorakhpur, Deoria, Ballia, Kushinagar and Varanasi, while western Uttar Pradesh is expected to receive light to moderate showers.

Bihar is forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, increasing the risk of flooding, waterlogging and swollen rivers. Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal are also likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds.

Uttarakhand faces landslide risk

Heavy rainfall is expected across several districts of Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Nainital, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. The IMD has warned of possible landslides and road disruptions, particularly along the Char Dham pilgrimage routes.

Southern and western India

Steady monsoon rainfall is expected to continue over Konkan and Goa, coastal Karnataka and Kerala. Parts of Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Telangana and Tamil Nadu are also likely to receive light to moderate rainfall.

However, despite widespread monsoon activity elsewhere, isolated heatwave conditions are likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Fishermen advisory

The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea due to strong winds of 45–55 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 65 kmph. Rough sea conditions are expected along the Gujarat coast and adjoining north Arabian Sea.

Residents in rain-affected regions have been advised to monitor local weather updates and exercise caution due to the risks of lightning, flooding, waterlogging and landslides.