IMD issues heavy rain warning for 26 States and UTs, yellow alert in Maharashtra

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh warning about heavy to very heavy rain across large parts of India. According to the forecast, 26 states and union territories are likely to be affected by monsoon showers over the next few days. The alert includes Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and several southern and northeastern states.

In many areas, the IMD has also predicted thunderstorms along with rain. While some regions will see light to moderate showers, others, particularly the western and coastal parts, are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall.

Rain brings relief in Delhi but more showers on the way

On Thursday, parts of Delhi received light rainfall, bringing some relief from the humid conditions. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 34.8°C. However, humidity levels remained high, with the relative humidity at 68 percent in the evening.

The IMD has forecast more rain with thunderstorms in the national capital on Friday. The showers are expected to bring down temperatures further, but high humidity may continue.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality stayed in the “satisfactory” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 81 at 7 PM. For context, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 “moderate”, 201 to 300 “poor”, 301 to 400 “very poor”, and 401 to 500 “severe”.

This indicates that despite the rains, air quality in the capital remained within safe levels.

Heavy rain expected in many regions

The IMD has warned that several parts of western India, including Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Gujarat, will see extremely heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours. These regions are already dealing with overflowing rivers and waterlogging, and more showers could add to the problems.

In the southern states, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are also likely to get very heavy rainfall in the coming days. Rainfall in these states may lead to flooding in low-lying areas and possible disruption of transport.

The central and eastern states—Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, West Bengal, and Sikkim—are also under alert between August 20 and 24. Residents are advised to stay cautious as these regions may face heavy downpours along with thunder and lightning.

Northern states are also expected to get strong rainfall. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh are all likely to be affected. The IMD has warned that heavy rainfall in hilly areas could cause landslides, while plains may see waterlogging and flooding.

In the northeast, states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are forecast to experience heavy rain during the same period. These regions are already vulnerable to flooding, so additional showers may create difficult situations for local communities.

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Yellow alert in Maharashtra

After days of heavy showers in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Maharashtra. The alert means that moderate to heavy rainfall is likely on Friday in several districts.

Mumbai has already faced disruptions due to the heavy monsoon, including waterlogging on roads, delays in train services, and cancellation of flights. The city has struggled with traffic jams and flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel when heavy rain warnings are in place.

Uttarakhand faces river blockage after rains

In Uttarakhand, the situation has become serious after heavy rainfall disrupted the flow of the Yamuna River in Uttarkashi district. A rain-fed stream carried debris that blocked the river, creating a temporary lake in Syanachatti. This posed a risk of sudden flooding in the surrounding areas.

Authorities quickly evacuated around 150 people, including residents of nearby homes and hotels. The evacuated individuals were moved to a safer location as a precautionary measure.

To handle the emergency, a team led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Barkot has been deployed. The team also includes members from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, fire services, and officials from the irrigation and revenue departments. Continuous monitoring is being carried out to prevent any accidents if the temporary lake bursts.

IMD’s advice to the public

The IMD has advised citizens in affected states to stay alert, avoid venturing near swollen rivers, and follow instructions from local authorities. People living in low-lying or landslide-prone areas are particularly asked to remain cautious.

Farmers and fishermen have also been advised to take precautions. Fishermen are requested not to venture into the sea in regions where warnings are in place, as strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected.

With heavy rain predicted in so many regions, authorities across states have put disaster management teams on standby. The IMD continues to issue regular updates to keep people informed.