Heavy Rains Batter Northern India: Over 25 Dead, IMD Issues Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for several northern states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, parts of western Uttar Pradesh, and west Rajasthan. A yellow alert has also been declared for Delhi and Haryana, warning of thunderstorms and rain after heavy showers drenched the national capital.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon covered the entire country on Thursday, making this year's advance the most delayed since 2021. The monsoon reached Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab on July 9, one day later than the normal date of July 8. In previous years, the monsoon covered the country by June 29 in 2025 and July 2 in 2024, 2023, and 2022.
More than 25 people have been killed in rain-related incidents, including floods and landslides, across the country. The worst-affected states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam. Fresh floods and landslides were reported in Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, with rising water levels submerging a 100-foot iron bridge in Kinnaur. Delhi-NCR also experienced severe waterlogging, particularly in urban areas.
On Friday, the IMD forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Heavy rain is also likely over Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. In West Bengal, heavy monsoon rains lashed a large part of the state, with Cooch Behar recording 143 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending Friday morning. Dum Dum, where the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is located, recorded south Bengal's highest rainfall at 96 mm.
In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to remain on high alert. The Chief Minister's office stated that Dhami is continuously reviewing the situation and preparedness with the Secretary of Disaster Management. In Himachal Pradesh, all government and private educational institutions and Anganwadis in Sirmaur and Solan districts were closed on Friday due to heavy rain, as continuous rainfall led to obstruction of rural roads and increased risk of landslides, endangering student safety.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi for thunderstorms and rain, after the city received moderate rainfall over the past 24 hours. Safdarjung recorded 33.6 mm of rain till 8:30 am on Friday. The weather department advised residents to take precautions and stay informed about local weather updates.
