IMD issues Heavy Rain alert for 18 states

Report by Swati

22 July 2026

New Delhi

IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert for 18 States; Gusty Winds, Flood Risk Loom Over Parts of India

India is set to witness another spell of intense monsoon activity, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a heavy rainfall alert for 18 states over the next eight hours. The weather agency has also warned of strong winds reaching 30–60 kmph, raising concerns over localized flooding, waterlogging, and disruptions to transport and daily life.

According to the IMD, the monsoon trough remains close to its normal position, while an upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over Haryana and adjoining regions at lower tropospheric levels. These atmospheric conditions are expected to trigger widespread rainfall across large parts of the country.

Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore The IMD has issued a marine advisory, urging fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal between July 22 and July 25 due to rough sea conditions and strong winds associated with the active monsoon system.

18 States Under Heavy Rain Alert The weather department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Haryana, Kerala, Odisha, and several other regions. Authorities have cautioned that isolated areas could experience flash floods, urban inundation, and traffic disruptions.

Delhi-NCR to Witness Thunderstorms and Heavy Showers

For Delhi-NCR, the IMD has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall on July 22, with wind speeds likely to touch 40–50 kmph. The national capital is expected to record a maximum temperature of 32°C and a minimum of 23°C, with overcast skies prevailing throughout the day.

Weather conditions are expected to improve slightly from July 23, although cloudy skies will persist. No major weather alerts have been issued for July 24–25, while cloud cover is likely to continue on July 26. Uttar Pradesh Braces for Widespread Rainfall The IMD has placed several districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut, Shamli, Baghpat, Bijnor, Agra, Mathura, Bareilly, Aligarh, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Banda, Chitrakoot, and Kaushambi, under a heavy rainfall alert.The forecast indicates widespread rainfall across eastern Uttar Pradesh on July 23–24, with another spell of heavy rain expected between July 26 and 27. Western Uttar Pradesh is also likely to witness sustained rainfall during the same period. Bihar Faces Storm and Flood Threat In Bihar, the IMD has issued an Orange Alert for districts including Patna, Rohtas, Nawada, and Kaimur, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds over the next 24–48 hours.A Yellow Alert has also been issued for 13 districts, including Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Buxar, Saran, Siwan, Vaishali, Samastipur, and Begusarai. Officials have warned that intense rainfall could trigger localized flooding and significantly disrupt transportation.

Major Cities Weather Forecast (July 22)