The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for 15 northern states on Tuesday and Wednesday due to anticipated moderate to heavy rainfall. Additionally, Gujarat has been placed under a ‘red’ alert as extremely heavy rainfall is expected on July 3, following the onset of the southwest monsoon across the country this week.
Northeastern states are also under an orange alert for July 3, with the IMD forecasting isolated heavy rainfall across northwestern India. Delhi is bracing for moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday, as the city continues to grapple with waterlogging from isolated rains on Tuesday. The weather agency has predicted thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds accompanying the rainfall.
The orange alert spans July 3 for Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
Meanwhile, northeastern states have experienced above-normal rainfall over the past week, resulting in flooding, landslides, and waterlogging in some areas. Rivers in Arunachal Pradesh are flowing above danger levels, while floods in Assam and Manipur have caused significant damage to hundreds of homes.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon covered the entire country on July 2, six days earlier than usual. This marks a turnaround from its delayed progress in June, which saw a nationwide heatwave. The monsoon arrived in Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30, earlier than the typical schedule by two and six days, respectively.
“The southwest monsoon has now advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab today, completing its coverage of the entire country on July 2, 2024, ahead of the normal date of July 8,” stated the IMD.
India recorded below-normal rainfall in mid-June, contributing to an overall deficit for the month with 147.2 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 165.3 mm. This marks the seventh lowest precipitation since 2001. IMD noted that this is the third consecutive year the southwest monsoon has covered the entire country ahead of schedule.
