Monsoon 2026: IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert Across 20+ States, Thunderstorms and Lightning Likely

Key Highlights

• The Southwest monsoon has covered the entire country.

• Heavy rain alert issued for more than 20 states.

• Extremely heavy rainfall is likely in parts of Uttarakhand.

• Thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds are expected in many regions.

• IMD advises farmers to protect crops, livestock, and harvested produce.

The southwest monsoon has now covered the entire country, bringing widespread rainfall and relief from the summer heat. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also warned of heavy to extremely heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds across more than 20 states on July 10. The weather department has urged people and farmers to stay alert and follow local weather updates.

Southwest Monsoon Covers Entire India

According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has reached the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, completing its coverage across India. While the active monsoon has brought much-needed relief from intense heat, it has also increased the risk of heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, and lightning in several parts of the country.

Heavy Rain Alert for North India

North India is expected to continue receiving widespread rainfall on July 10. States likely to experience rain include:

• Uttarakhand

• Himachal Pradesh

• Haryana

• Delhi

• Eastern Uttar Pradesh

• Bihar

The IMD has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Uttarakhand, while western Uttar Pradesh is also likely to receive heavy rain.

Rain is also expected across Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir. Widespread rainfall is likely to continue in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and nearby regions until July 12, while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may continue receiving rain until July 15.

Delhi-NCR to Witness Rain, Thunderstorms and Strong Winds

The weather in Delhi-NCR is expected to remain cloudy throughout Friday. The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall in many areas from morning to afternoon.

Residents may also experience:

• Thunderstorms

• Lightning

• Strong winds

The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 33°C and 35°C, while the minimum temperature may range between 22°C and 24°C. Light rain and cloudy conditions are likely to continue over the next two days.

Rain and Thunderstorm Alert for Eastern India

The monsoon remains active across eastern India, with rain and thunderstorms likely in:

• Bihar

• Jharkhand

• Odisha

• Gangetic West Bengal

• Sub-Himalayan West Bengal

• Sikkim

Strong winds and thunderstorms are also expected in several parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also likely to receive rainfall over the coming days.

Northeast India to Receive Widespread Rainfall

Heavy monsoon activity is expected to continue across the northeastern states, including:

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Assam

• Meghalaya

• Nagaland

• Manipur

• Mizoram

• Tripura

The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall in these states until July 15. Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds may cause waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas.

Rain to Continue in Central and Western India

According to the IMD, rainfall will continue in:

• Madhya Pradesh

• Chhattisgarh

• Vidarbha

However, the intensity of rainfall is expected to be lower than in recent days.

Rain is also likely in:

• Gujarat

• Saurashtra

• Kutch

• Central Maharashtra

• Parts of Marathwada

While rainfall activity may reduce in some areas, Konkan and Goa could still experience isolated heavy rainfall.

South India to Receive Light to Moderate Rain

Several parts of South India are expected to witness light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy showers, including:

• Coastal Karnataka

• Kerala

• Tamil Nadu

• Telangana

• Andhra Pradesh

The IMD has indicated that rainfall activity across some southern regions may gradually decrease after July 10.

IMD Advisory for Farmers

The Meteorological Department has issued important advisories for farmers in areas expecting heavy rainfall.

Farmers are advised to:

• Ensure proper drainage of excess water from fields to prevent waterlogging.

• Protect paddy nurseries, maize, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetable crops from standing water.

• Store harvested crops safely or cover them with tarpaulin to prevent rain damage.

• Provide support to horticultural crops to protect them from strong winds.

• Keep livestock in safe shelters instead of open areas during heavy rain and thunderstorms.

• Plan farming activities based on the latest local weather forecasts.

Also Read: VB-GRAM-G Scheme 2026: Rural Workers to Get Wages Within 15 Days, 125 Days of Employment and Compensation for Delays

CMV360 Says

With the southwest monsoon now active across the entire country, many regions are expected to receive heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning over the coming days. The IMD has advised residents, especially farmers and people living in flood-prone areas, to remain cautious, follow weather updates regularly, and take necessary precautions to minimize the impact of heavy rain and strong winds.