IMD Issues Red Alerts for Heavy Rain in Northeast and Kerala as Monsoon Escalates

Torrential downpours disrupt life in Meghalaya and Kerala, thunderstorm warnings extend to Delhi and coastal states

HH News Desk 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 8, 2025

6 3 minutes read

New Delhi — India’s weather agency IMD issued a fresh set of red and orange alerts on Friday, warning of ongoing disruptions due to heavy rain, thunderstorm activity, and strong wind across large parts of the country. Several areas in the Northeast, as well as southern states like Kerala and Karnataka, are already witnessing weather-related impacts as the southwest monsoon pushes further inland.

Record Rainfall in Meghalaya, Assam on Flood Watch

Cherrapunji in Meghalaya recorded a staggering 38 cm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with nearby Mawsynram registering 26 cm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The volume has placed parts of the region under red alert due to the risk of flooding, landslides, and transport disruption.

Neighbouring districts in Assam—notably Dhemaji, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia—have reported rising water levels in local rivers. Emergency teams in these areas are on standby. Rural roads, especially those connecting interior blocks, have already been affected, with some school closures reported on Friday morning.

Officials confirmed that the ongoing downpour is linked to the remnants of a depression that had earlier developed over the Bay of Bengal and moved inland through Bangladesh.

Monsoon Activity Intensifies Over Kerala

In Kerala, the first wave of intense monsoon rainfall has resulted in waterlogging, particularly across Ernakulam, Kannur, and parts of Idukki. Rainfall exceeded 15 cm in several pockets, with isolated areas likely to see even higher totals by evening.

District administrations have advised people living near hill slopes to remain vigilant. In Wayanad and Pathanamthitta, residents were asked to avoid unnecessary travel due to potential landslip risk. Some local bodies have deployed mobile response units in case of road blockages or minor flash floods.

Marine warnings are also in force. Ports along the Kerala coast raised alert signals, urging fishing communities to avoid venturing into the sea until the situation stabilises. Sea conditions have been described as “rough to very rough” by coastal observatories.

Storm Winds Hit North India

The National Capital Region, along with parts of Haryana and Punjab, saw a shift in conditions on Thursday evening, with gusty winds, falling temperatures, and light rain reported across Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida.

The IMD expects further thunderstorms in the area, driven by a Western Disturbance moving through upper atmospheric levels. Wind speeds could reach 60–70 kmph, particularly during the afternoon and evening.

Delhi’s public works department said it had activated emergency crews to prune overhanging branches and monitor vulnerable street-side structures. Traffic police have also warned of slowdowns along key corridors like Outer Ring Road and NH-48 if wind conditions worsen.

Sea Conditions Prompt Fishermen Advisories

One of the most critical warnings in the IMD bulletin relates to marine safety. Fishermen operating in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal have been told to suspend operations through the weekend.

In particular, waters off Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are experiencing strong winds and high waves. Port authorities in Mangaluru, Karwar, and Chennai confirmed that coastal surveillance had been increased and that small boats were being advised against leaving harbour.

These warnings are in effect until at least 4 June, depending on how the current systems evolve.

Central and Eastern States Also See Weather Shifts

Elsewhere, light to moderate rainfall is being reported across parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, with isolated thunderstorm activity. In Raipur and Bhubaneswar, authorities are advising residents to stay indoors during peak wind hours and to avoid using mobile phones during lightning events — a precaution repeated in state-level press briefings.

Farmers have also been issued advisories: delaying sowing, protecting saplings, and draining excess water where possible. In Vidarbha, some banana plantations have suffered wind damage, according to local agricultural offices.

Monsoon Front Advances Northward

As per IMD data, the northern edge of the monsoon now stretches through Mumbai, Adilabad, Puri, and is approaching Balurghat in West Bengal. Forecasters say this early advancement, while not unusual, comes with more energy than expected for late May.

A senior official at IMD’s New Delhi headquarters said, “What we are seeing is a combination of standard monsoonal progression with added intensity from other weather systems interacting over land.”

The same official added that while the outlook remains favourable for further movement, there are growing concerns about intensity spikes in localised areas.

State Governments Urged to Remain Vigilant

In the wake of these forecasts, state disaster management authorities have been instructed to scale up readiness. Kerala, Assam, and Tripura have activated district control rooms, and in Delhi, advisory messages have been pushed via mobile networks urging residents to avoid exposure during strong wind spells.

The IMD continues to issue twice-daily bulletins and has asked all stakeholders—including municipal agencies, tourism operators, and transport departments—to remain closely aligned with updated alerts.

With the monsoon advancing steadily and multi-system overlaps causing weather instability across regions, officials are urging the public to monitor official channels and take precautions seriously.

Written by Raghav M. | Published on 30 May 2025 | Source: IMD

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