Monsoon activity remains exceptionally robust across various parts of the country defying typical El Nino patterns, with heavy downpours lashing multiple regions. According to the forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department for August 9, 2026, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several states. Authorities have raised alarms from Jammu and Kashmir down to Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Bengal, and Odisha, with orange alerts activated in specific zones anticipating intense weather conditions.
Orange Alerts Issued Across Key States
Amid widespread monsoon activation, weather officials have warned of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and heavy precipitation in numerous districts. An orange warning has been issued for August 9 across specific districts in Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. In Meghalaya, South Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hils are bracing for severe weather, while Chhattisgarh districts including Bemetara, Bilaspur, Kabirdham, Mahasamund, and Mungeli face risks of lightning, winds reaching 40 to 60 kilometers per hour, and moderate to heavy showers. Madhya Pradesh is experiencing similar weather across Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Dindori, Guna, Jabalpur, Mandla, Raisen, Sagar, Seoni, Shahdol, Umaria, and Vidisha. Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, and Pithoragarh districts in Uttarakhand are also under a strict orange alert.
Major Rivers Swell As Upper Catchments Receive Heavy Downpours
Sustained heavy rainfall in upper regions has caused major North Indian rivers to swell, raising deep concerns among riverside residents. In Ayodhya, the water level of the Saryu River has been rising continuously over the past two days, and while it remains below the danger mark, local authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation. The historical city of Varanasi is witnessing a similar scenario as the Ganga River overflows, submerging several ghats and reaching the steps of some local temples. In the national capital, the Yamuna River is flowing rapidly near the Okhla Barrage and Kalindi Kunj. As a precautionary measure, a dedicated NDRF team equipped with life jackets and rescue boats has been stationed at the Kalindi Kunj Yamuna Ghat.
Wider Regional Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, the meteorological office indicates that isolated places across the Western Himalayan region, Eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh may experience heavy to very heavy precipitation over the coming days. Furthermore, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, and South Interior Karnataka are expected to receive heavy downpours during the next two days. This follows heavy rainfall recorded on August 8 in parts of Odisha, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Western Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala, alongside widespread wet spells across Assam, Meghalaya, parts of the Northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
