Monsoon picks up pace; IMD issues heavy rain alert across India
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, June 19, 2026: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a significant advance of the southwest monsoon over the coming days, bringing much-needed relief from the intense heat affecting large parts of the country.
According to the weather department, the monsoon is expected to cover the remaining parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh by around June 23.
The advancement of the monsoon is likely to trigger widespread rainfall and thunderstorms across several regions.
However, heatwave conditions are expected to persist in eastern Uttar Pradesh until June 24, in Bihar until June 22, and in parts of Maharashtra and Telangana until June 20.
The IMD has predicted intermittent rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi between June 19 and 22. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to receive widespread rainfall from June 19 to 22, while Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness significant rainfall on June 20 and 21.
Weather officials have also warned of severe thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between June 19 and 22. Western Rajasthan may experience dust storms on June 19 and 20, followed by cloudy weather and rainfall on June 24 and 25.
Central and Eastern India to Receive Heavy Showers
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and the Vidarbha region are likely to witness widespread rainfall accompanied by gusty winds from June 19 to 25. Heavy rainfall has also been forecast for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gangetic West Bengal and Sikkim during the same period.
The IMD has warned of very heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim until June 21. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also expected in Bihar from June 21 to 23 and in Odisha from June 21 to 25.
Northeast on Flood Watch
The weather department has expressed concern over the northeastern states, where heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning are expected to continue over the next week. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are likely to receive widespread rainfall between June 19 and 25, raising the risk of localized flooding and waterlogging.
South India Also Under Rain Alert
In South India, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Telangana are expected to receive scattered rainfall over the next week. Heavy rains are also likely in Lakshadweep, coastal and interior Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema over the next four to five days.
The IMD has advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow local weather advisories as monsoon activity intensifies across the country.