The weather across the country is shifting fast. Areas where people were sweating through a brutal heatwave just days ago are now watching dark clouds gather overhead. According to IMD's latest alert, conditions could turn sharply hostile across large parts of the country over the coming hours and days. In fact, an umbrella alone may no longer cut it, this is more of a raincoat situation. Several states are likely to see heavy rain accompanied by stormy winds blowing at 70 to 80 kilometres per hour.
Why the Weather Has Turned So Quickly
Meteorologists believe the combined effect of an active monsoon and a western disturbance has produced a system capable of hitting a wide swathe of north, east and central India. An upper-air cyclonic circulation is active over eastern Uttar Pradesh and its surrounding areas. On top of that, a fresh western disturbance is expected to begin influencing northwest India from June 18. This is exactly why the weather could flip suddenly across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and the hill states, with several places also facing the threat of lightning strikes and hailstorms.
13 States Under the Shadow of Heavy Rain
IMD has issued an alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning across 13 states. The list includes Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Winds could touch 80 kilometres per hour at many spots. Experts have advised people to stay clear of trees, weak structures and open fields. Everyone from farmers to travellers and city dwellers has been told to track every weather update closely, especially in areas where the risk of lightning, waterlogging and fierce winds runs highest.
How the Monsoon Is Moving and What Comes Next
According to IMD, the northern limit of the southwest monsoon currently runs through parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar. Its progress may be slow in some pockets, but moisture flowing in from the Bay of Bengal and cyclonic activity are helping push it forward, and its presence remains strong over eastern and southern India. The department expects the monsoon to make a rapid entry into new parts of east and central India around June 23. Over the next 4 to 5 days, conditions are turning favourable for it to advance into more areas of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Telangana. Per IMD, around June 23, 2026, the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into more parts of Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar and some parts of Chhattisgarh. This week is also set to bring stepped-up rain activity over northeast India, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, along with Bihar.
Delhi-NCR: A Break From the Heat, but Storms Loom
The mood of the weather in Delhi-NCR is about to change completely. IMD has issued a yellow to orange category alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in the capital. Wind speeds here could reach 60 to 65 kilometres per hour. That should pull down temperatures and bring big relief from the long spell of humidity and heat. Even so, the strong winds raise the risk of disruption to traffic and power supply.
Uttar Pradesh: Heavy Rain Warning for Several Districts
Monsoon activity is set to intensify in Uttar Pradesh. A warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms has been issued for several districts, including Meerut, Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Azamgarh, Sitapur and Barabanki. The department expects winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. Farmers have been asked to prepare to guard their fields against waterlogging and protect crops from damage.
Bihar: Lightning and Thunderbolts Top the Worry List
In Bihar, the biggest concern this time is lightning and thunderbolts. A heavy rain alert has been issued across a stretch running from West Champaran to Purnia, Kishanganj, Patna, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur. Winds here could blow at 70 to 75 kilometres per hour. The department has specifically warned about the danger of lightning strikes and advised people in rural areas to stay away from open spaces.
Jharkhand: Monsoon Enters a More Active Phase
Spells of heavy rain may continue in Jharkhand's Bokaro, Dhanbad, Dumka, Giridih, Jamtara and East and West Singhbhum. Many districts are likely to see storms blowing at 50 to 55 kilometres per hour. Weather experts believe the monsoon is now entering a more active phase in the state.
West Bengal: Clouds Set to Pour Steadily
Heavy rain is forecast for several districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Malda and Murshidabad. With moisture streaming in from the Bay of Bengal, both the spread and the intensity of the rain could rise here. Combined with strong winds, urban areas may also face waterlogging.
Rajasthan: Shifting From Desert Heat Toward Rain
Rajasthan too is leaving behind its desert temperament and turning toward rain. As moisture builds, this desert state could see rain activity pick up in the days ahead.
