The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Delhi and 14 other northern states, forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall over the next two days. Gujarat is under a ‘red’ alert, with predictions of extremely heavy rainfall on July 3 as the southwest monsoon progresses across India.
Weather Alerts and Predictions
On July 3, an ‘orange’ alert is in effect for various northeastern states, anticipating heavy rainfall across northwestern regions. Delhi is expected to experience moderate to heavy rain on Wednesday, following isolated showers on Tuesday that caused waterlogging in several areas. The IMD predicts thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds for the national capital.
States Under Alert
The orange alert applies to Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Northeastern states have been receiving excessive rainfall, resulting in flooding, landslides, and severe waterlogging. Rivers in Arunachal Pradesh have risen above danger levels, and floods in Assam and Manipur have caused widespread damage to homes.
Monsoon Coverage
The IMD announced that the southwest monsoon has now covered the entire country as of July 2, which is six days ahead of the usual schedule. Despite a delayed start in June, the monsoon arrived in Kerala and the northeastern region by May 30.
“The southwest monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab today. Thus, it covered the entire country on July 2, 2024, against the normal date of July 8,” the IMD stated.
Rainfall Statistics
India experienced below-normal rainfall levels in mid-June, leading to an overall deficit for the month. The country received 147.2 mm of rainfall against a norm of 165.3 mm, marking the seventh lowest since 2001. This year marks the third consecutive year that the southwest monsoon has covered the entire country ahead of schedule, according to the IMD.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay updated with local weather forecasts and take necessary precautions as heavy rains and associated risks are expected to continue.