A combination of an active monsoon, a low-pressure depression and a western disturbance has triggered widespread rainfall across the country, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue weather alerts for several states. Gujarat and Madhya Maharashtra remain under a Red Alert, with forecasts of extremely heavy rainfall, flash floods and waterlogging over the next 24 hours.
According to the IMD, the depression that developed over East Vidarbha and adjoining West-Central Chhattisgarh has moved towards Central Vidarbha and South Madhya Pradesh. The system is travelling west-northwest at around 15 kmph and is expected to strengthen rainfall activity across central and western India over the next two days. The active monsoon trough, coupled with a western disturbance over northern India, is further intensifying the wet spell.
Kedarnath Yatra Suspended After Landslides
Uttarakhand continues to bear the brunt of the heavy rain, with landslides disrupting road connectivity in several districts. The Kedarnath Yatra was temporarily suspended after landslides and falling boulders blocked the highway between Sonprayag and Gaurikund.
Authorities safely accommodated nearly 850 pilgrims after halting the pilgrimage as a precaution. Around 600 devotees returning from Kedarnath and another 250 pilgrims at Sonprayag have been asked to wait until the route is cleared.
Heavy rainfall has also left 91 roads blocked across the state. A Yellow Alert remains in force for Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh, where further rain could trigger additional landslides.
Delhi-NCR Likely to Receive Heavy Showers
The IMD has forecast cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall and isolated heavy showers over Delhi-NCR on July 31 and August 1. The rain, accompanied by gusty winds, is expected to provide relief from the prevailing heat and humidity.
Daytime temperatures in the national capital are likely to remain around 34°C, while the minimum temperature is expected to hover near 29°C.
Red, Orange and Yellow Alerts Across India
Apart from Gujarat and Madhya Maharashtra, very heavy rainfall is expected over East Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, Konkan and Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Punjab.
Yellow Alerts have been issued for Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Vidarbha, Marathwada, West Rajasthan, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sikkim and parts of West Bengal.
The weather department has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-50 kmph in several regions.
IMD Issues Safety Advisory
The IMD has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, particularly in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. Residents have been urged to monitor official weather updates and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Farmers have been asked to maintain proper drainage in agricultural fields, postpone the application of fertilisers and pesticides during heavy rain, protect harvested crops and shift livestock to safe shelters.
While monsoon conditions dominate much of the country, some regions continue to record above-normal temperatures. On Thursday, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan recorded the country’s highest maximum temperature at 41.5°C, while Boudh in Odisha registered the lowest minimum temperature among the plains at 17.8°C.
With multiple weather systems remaining active, the IMD has cautioned that heavy rainfall is likely to persist across large parts of the country over the next 24 to 48 hours, increasing the risk of flooding, landslides and disruptions to transport and daily life.