The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for multiple regions across the country on July 4, as monsoon conditions strengthen nationwide.
Regions under heavy rain alert include East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh (East & West), Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan, Goa, and Odisha. In the northeast, an orange alert has been issued for Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
Yellow Alert in Himachal Amid Rising Death Toll
IMD has sounded a yellow alert for Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur, warning of moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning on July 4. This comes after 37 people lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh due to rain-related incidents, including landslides, since the onset of monsoon.
An orange alert has also been issued for these Himachal districts for July 6, signalling worsening weather conditions ahead.
Goa Declares School Holiday Amid Orange Alert
In Goa, the regional weather office has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall along with strong surface winds. In response, the state government announced a school holiday for July 4, urging parents to keep children indoors and away from hazardous locations, including flooded streets and riversides.
Delhi NCR Forecast: Light Rain Expected
While no heavy rain warning has been issued for Delhi on July 4, partly cloudy skies with light to very light rain are expected. The maximum temperature may reach 37°C, while the minimum could hover around 27°C.
However, Delhi NCR districts such as Faridabad and Gurgaon are under yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning. A broader yellow alert for July 5 has been announced for Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar), and Gurgaon.
Punjab and Haryana Also on Alert
The Chandigarh regional Met office has issued a yellow alert in parts of Punjab, including Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Pathankot, and Rupanagar. No alert is in place for Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Muktsar.
In Haryana, yellow alerts have been issued for Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Rewari, and Palwal, due to expected heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Monsoon Arrives Early
India welcomed the monsoon early this year, with its arrival on June 29, eight days ahead of the expected date of July 8. The Southwest Monsoon has now covered all of Delhi, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, the IMD confirmed.
Residents in affected areas are advised to follow local advisories and remain cautious, especially in landslide-prone or flood-risk regions.