IMD warns of heavy rain in Delhi, Mumbai and several states as monsoon strengthens

The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across Delhi, Mumbai and several states as the southwest monsoon strengthens in early July.

The warning window runs from July 1 to July 4, according to reported coverage of the weather office's forecasts. The alerts cover Mumbai, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, as the monsoon advances northward and across north and central India over the next two to three days.

Mumbai has already seen disruption from the wet spell. Reported impacts include flooding, train delays and flight diversions, and one report said the city remained under an orange alert as heavy showers continued.

What IMD is warning about

The forecast is for a broader spell of rain rather than a single isolated shower event. Reported coverage said IMD expects widespread rain in parts of the country along with thunderstorms and gusty winds.

Delhi is included in the warning set, with forecasts for light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds in and around the capital region. Uttarakhand has also been flagged for heavy rain, with one report saying the warning there extends through July 4.

Other states named in the alert round-up include Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The broad footprint points to a short-term shift to wetter conditions across much of central, northern and eastern India.

Why the timing matters

The timing is significant because July is a key monsoon month for travel, water management and kharif sowing. A stronger burst of rain can ease local water stress, but it can also quickly create flooding and waterlogging in dense metro areas.

That risk is already visible in Mumbai, where heavy rain has affected roads and rail movement and forced some flight diversions. Commuters in Delhi and other warned regions are being urged to follow updated local weather alerts as conditions change.

The warnings also come after a sharply deficient June, making early-July rain more consequential for farm planning and water storage. The short-term improvement does not erase the wider concern that the month as a whole may still finish below average.

IMD's broader outlook remains cautious. Reported coverage says July rainfall is likely to stay below normal overall, even if the first part of the month turns wetter as the monsoon pushes forward.

Officials and residents will be watching for any extension or upgrade of alerts over the next few days, especially in Mumbai, Uttarakhand and Delhi. Updated district and city warnings will determine whether the current spell stays limited or widens further.