Heavy Rain alert across 23 States as Monsoon set to resume advance from June 23: IMD
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, June 21, 2026: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across large parts of the country, with heavy showers expected in 23 states on Saturday as both monsoon and pre-monsoon weather systems remain active.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has already reached 19 states, while pre-monsoon activity continues to influence weather conditions in the remaining regions.
Although the monsoon's progress has remained stalled since June 8 near Bhadrachalam in Telangana and Maharajganj on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border, meteorologists expect it to regain momentum from June 23.
The weather department said the monsoon is likely to advance further into the remaining parts of Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar over the coming days. However, several northern states may have to wait until the first week of July for the full onset of the rainy season.
The IMD has also issued a special advisory for the hill states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, warning of persistent rainfall, thunderstorms and possible hailstorms through June 27. Authorities have cautioned residents and tourists about an increased risk of landslides, flash floods and lightning strikes in vulnerable areas.
Strong winds ranging between 40 and 60 kmph are also expected across the mountainous regions, which could lead to a noticeable drop in temperatures and challenging travel conditions.
Meanwhile, Delhi is likely to experience relief from the ongoing heat through pre-monsoon showers. The national capital may receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds later in the day. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may settle near 28 degrees Celsius.
Weather officials said cloudy skies are likely to persist over Delhi until June 26, with intermittent rain, thunderstorms and winds reaching speeds of 40 to 60 kmph. Despite these weather changes, the official arrival of the southwest monsoon in Delhi is now expected during the first week of July, slightly later than its usual onset date of June 27.
The IMD has advised citizens to stay updated with local weather forecasts and exercise caution during periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds.