NEW DELHI — June 22, 2026
Monsoon Advances Across India this week with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms with gusty winds, and lightning across multiple regions, even as heatwave conditions continue in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
The weather system has regained momentum after a sluggish phase, and the IMD says conditions remain favorable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh over the next few days. Delhi-NCR, meanwhile, is likely to see cloudy skies and light to moderate rain, offering some relief from the heat, while cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata are already witnessing active rain spells.
IMD Flags Heavy Rainfall Across Northeast and East India
The heaviest rain threat remains over Northeast India, where the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next several days. States including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura are likely to receive intense rain, with Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim also under a heavy rain alert. Similar forecasts have been highlighted in recent IMD-linked weather reports, which warn that the active monsoon phase could trigger local flooding, transport disruption, and landslide risk in vulnerable hill districts.
The rain warning comes after extraordinary precipitation totals were reported in Meghalaya. According to the figures in your source material, Mawsynram recorded 53 cm of rain in the past 24 hours, while Cherrapunji logged 47 cm, underlining the intensity of the current wet spell in the Northeast. With rivers already running high in parts of the region, authorities are likely to remain on alert for flash flooding, waterlogging, and landslides in low-lying and hilly terrain.
Delhi Braces for Clouds and Rain; Storms Likely in Several States
In Delhi-NCR, the IMD has indicated cloud cover, scattered showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds, conditions that could bring temporary relief from the hot and humid spell. Forecasts for Monday also point to storm activity in parts of Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and surrounding northern regions, with some areas at risk of hail, lightning and sudden wind surges.
The department has warned that eastern India, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and parts of central India could see winds of 40–60 kmph, with gusts in isolated pockets reaching 70 kmph. Such conditions raise the risk of tree fall, damage to temporary structures, and localized power outages, particularly where thunderstorms intensify rapidly.
In western Rajasthan, dust storms may accompany the unstable weather pattern, while Jammu and Kashmir could see hail activity in isolated areas. The combination of strong winds, lightning, and patchy downpours means residents in exposed areas may need to track local advisories closely over the next 48 hours.
Mumbai and Kolkata See Active Rainfall as Monsoon Regains Strength
While north and central India remain in a transition phase, Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra are already experiencing persistent rain. Kolkata and nearby districts have also seen strong showers, with waterlogging reported in several urban pockets in recent days. The broader pattern suggests that the monsoon is once again spreading its footprint across key population centers after a patchy first half of June.
This revival is especially important for rain-deficit pockets in central and eastern India, where the delayed monsoon had raised concern for the kharif sowing season, water storage levels, and heat stress. A more active rain belt over the next week could ease some of that pressure, though uneven distribution remains a concern.
Heatwave Not Over Yet: East UP, Vidarbha and MP Still on Alert
Even as the monsoon pushes forward, heatwave conditions have not fully retreated. According to your source material and current weather coverage, Vidarbha, eastern Madhya Pradesh and eastern Uttar Pradesh are expected to remain under heatwave to severe heatwave conditions for the next four to five days. Parts of Chhattisgarh may continue to experience hot winds for the next three days, while Telangana could remain under heat stress for another two days.
Recent weather reports have also pointed to isolated heatwave conditions in East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha, showing how sharply India’s weather remains divided between monsoon rain belts and lingering summer extremes.
Your source material notes that Banda in Uttar Pradesh and Brahmapuri in Maharashtra recorded 43.2 degrees Celsius, among the highest temperatures in the country. Elevated night temperatures in some regions have added to discomfort, reducing overnight relief for residents already dealing with prolonged heat.
Fishermen Warned to Stay Off Sea as Weather Turns Rough
The IMD has also issued a marine warning, advising fishermen not to venture into parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal over the next few days as conditions turn rough under the strengthening monsoon flow. Heavy rain zones may also face urban flooding, river swelling and landslide risk, particularly in the Northeast and hill states.
People living in heat-affected areas have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure during peak afternoon hours, and limit unnecessary outdoor activity. In storm-prone areas, the weather office’s standard precautions apply: avoid sheltering under trees during lightning, secure loose outdoor items, and follow local alerts if wind speeds begin to rise rapidly.
Heat Is Also Reshaping Travel Patterns
The shifting weather is already having a visible impact on domestic travel. Your source material notes that hospitality platform Zostel has reported a 76% jump in Shimla bookings this June compared with a year earlier, while destinations such as Srinagar, Tirthan Valley and Gangtok have seen surging demand as travelers escape the heat in the plains. The report also points to a rise in last-minute travel behavior, with many travelers booking only a few days before departure.
That travel trend underscores the broader national picture: India is currently dealing with two weather stories at once — an advancing monsoon bringing rain, thunderstorms and flood risk to large parts of the country, and a stubborn heatwave continuing to grip sections of central and northern India.
For now, the key takeaway from the latest IMD outlook is clear: the monsoon is moving again, but its advance is unfolding alongside dangerous local weather extremes. That means the coming days could bring relief for some regions and disruption for others, depending on where the rain bands and heat pockets settle next.
