Weather Forecast Today IMD warns of heavy rain in Sikkim Bengal Arunachal, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an urgent warning for extremely heavy rainfall expected over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim through June 29, with heavy to very heavy showers drenching Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura until early July. This intense downpour in Northeast India arrives as the Southwest Monsoon continues its advance across the country, bringing both relief and significant risks of disruption to daily life. This immediate deluge highlights a complex weather pattern across India this monsoon season. While parts of the northeast are grappling with severe rain, which often triggers flash floods and landslides, many northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana are still experiencing heatwave conditions or awaiting substantial monsoon showers. The IMD's broader 2026 forecast predicted a below-normal monsoon overall, largely influenced by the anticipated development of strong El Niño conditions, which typically reduce rainfall over the subcontinent. As the monsoon pushes further, conditions are now favorable for its advance into more parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in the coming days. Residents in the rain-battered northeast are advised to stay vigilant for waterlogging, traffic snarls, and potential disruptions to transport and infrastructure. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the monsoon's overall impact on both the rain-deficient regions and those bracing for excessive rainfall.