Monsoon to intensify across North, Northeast India; IMD warns of heavy rain

An active southwest monsoon is set to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across northwest, central, and eastern India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast includes warnings of potential flash floods in vulnerable areas and a notable drop in temperatures, particularly in Delhi, following a hot and humid weekend.

Northwestern regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, are bracing for heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated instances of extremely heavy showers increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides. Similar conditions are expected in several northeastern states throughout the week, with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya likely to see significant precipitation.

Central India, encompassing Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will also experience widespread rainfall. Eastern India, including West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, and Odisha, is under the influence of the active monsoon, with forecasts of isolated extremely heavy rainfall in some areas and heavy to very heavy showers in others.

In the national capital, Delhi, the monsoon's intensification is expected to bring a sharp decrease in maximum temperatures. After reaching around 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday, temperatures are predicted to fall to nearly 30 degrees Celsius by Tuesday. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are anticipated from Monday to Wednesday, offering respite from the recent heat.