The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange alerts across several states as heavy monsoon rains continue to disrupt normal life in many regions. States under alert include Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Goa, West Bengal, and coastal Karnataka, where intense rainfall is expected to persist over the coming days.
In Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon has already taken a deadly toll. According to a report by PTI, at least 43 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents over the past two weeks, with another 37 individuals reported missing. The state has witnessed widespread destruction from cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. With rivers swelling beyond the danger mark, the IMD has forecast “extremely heavy rainfall” — defined as 21 cm or more — at isolated locations in the state on July 6.
Several districts in Madhya Pradesh were placed under red alert on July 4 due to intense rainfall. The IMD noted in its recent bulletin that similar rainfall intensity is expected over the Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on July 6 and 7.
Odisha, meanwhile, has experienced severe waterlogging in multiple areas, further straining local infrastructure and mobility. Two weather systems — one over Madhya Pradesh and another over northern Odisha — are contributing to the widespread precipitation, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar told news agency ANI.
The IMD’s bulletin dated July 4 highlighted that isolated heavy rainfall is likely over East Uttar Pradesh and West Rajasthan on July 5, and again from July 8 to 10. Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir are also likely to receive heavy downpours between July 5 and 9, with Jammu expected to see particularly intense rain on July 6.
Further forecasts predict isolated heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East Rajasthan, and West Uttar Pradesh until July 10. East Rajasthan is set for another round of heavy showers on July 9 and 10 following a brief lull.
The IMD has also issued a cautionary advisory for fishermen in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, warning against venturing into the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal due to the risk of hazardous sea conditions.
With monsoon activity intensifying, state governments and disaster response teams remain on high alert to mitigate the impact and respond to emergencies. Citizens are urged to stay informed through official weather updates and follow safety advisories.
