India
oi-Prakash KL
The southwest monsoon is in full swing, playing a different game in every corner of the country. While the west coast is getting absolutely pounded, parts of the north are still waiting for a proper drenching. And in between, there’s everything from waterlogged hospitals in Rajasthan to snow flurries in the higher reaches of the Himalayas.
Red Alert In Mumbai
The financial capital is bearing the brunt of the seasonal deluge. The IMD has upgraded its warning to a ‘Red’ alert for Mumbai today, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs, with isolated spots potentially recording extremely intense downpours. Gusty winds reaching up to 60 kmph are also on the cards.
India’s southwest monsoon causes varied impacts: Mumbai faces a ‘Red’ alert with heavy rain and winds, Rajasthan experiences significant waterlogging affecting urban areas and a hospital, and Himachal Pradesh reports rain-related deaths and flash floods.
The past 24 hours have already seen substantial rainfall, with several areas crossing the 100 mm mark. BMC data highlights the western suburb of Bandra as the hardest hit, recording over 150 mm in some pockets, while Parel and Vikhroli in the city and eastern suburbs respectively have also logged significant rainfall.
The local train network, Mumbai’s lifeline, is still operational but commuters have been facing delays throughout the day. The civic body has also warned of high tides, with a 4.26-meter tide expected this afternoon.
North India
As the monsoon advances further into Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the weather in the north is a tale of two extremes.
Delhi: The national capital continues to experience humid and overcast conditions. The IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky with a possibility of one or two spells of very light rain accompanied by thunder and gusty winds. While the rain may not be intense, the high humidity is making conditions quite uncomfortable, with the ‘feels-like’ temperature soaring despite the mercury hovering around 35 degrees Celsius.
Rajasthan: The state is witnessing widespread rainfall, which, while welcome, is causing its own set of problems. Heavy downpours have led to significant waterlogging in urban areas. In Jaipur, rainwater reportedly entered the emergency ward and X-ray section of the state’s largest hospital, causing immense inconvenience to patients and staff. Several roads have also been blocked in Chittorgarh district.
Himachal Pradesh: The hill state continues to grapple with the monsoon’s fury. Three rain-related deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, with electrocution and falls being cited as the primary causes. Flash floods have wreaked havoc in Chamba district, where authorities had to rescue about two dozen pilgrims stranded near a temple after a temporary bridge was washed away. Meanwhile, the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH-5) has been reopened after being cleared of debris. Tourists heading to the high-altitude Sach Pass have been advised to avoid long stays due to the risk of sudden snowfall.
Uttar Pradesh: It saw scattered rainfall on Friday. While the state overall received above-normal rain for the day, it still faces a massive seasonal deficit. The rainfall was quite uneven, with districts like Budaun receiving good showers while several eastern districts, including Bahraich and Ballia, remained completely dry.
In the Kashmir Valley, the twin base camps for the Amarnath Yatra-Baltal and Nunwan-received early morning rains. However, despite the wet weather, maximum temperatures in the region continue to remain higher than normal for this time of the season.
Eastern States: Low-Pressure System Triggers Heavy Rain in Odisha
Down the eastern coast, the weather is being driven by a well-marked low-pressure area persisting over the northwest Bay of Bengal. In Odisha, the IMD has issued a ‘Yellow’ alert for Puri, forecasting heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday. Despite the wet weather, visuals from the Shree Jagannatha Temple showed devotees undeterred, continuing their visits under overcast skies.
