IMD warns of very heavy rain, thunderstorms and isolated heatwave pockets across several Indian states

India’s weather department has issued a split-screen forecast for June 21, warning of very heavy rain in parts of northeast India, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds across several states, and isolated heatwave conditions in East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha.

The update comes as the southwest monsoon continues to drive wet weather across northern and central India, while some pockets remain vulnerable to intense heat.

Rain and storm risk

According to the latest reports based on IMD’s forecast, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in parts of northeast India on Monday. The department has also flagged thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across several states.

The warnings matter because such conditions can quickly disrupt travel, reduce visibility and raise the risk of localized flooding and lightning-related incidents.

Heatwave pockets

At the same time, IMD has warned of isolated heatwave conditions in East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha.

A separate report said IMD has issued an Orange Alert for heatwave conditions across Vidarbha, with districts including Akola, Amravati, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yavatmal expected to be affected through at least June 23. That advisory was linked to delayed monsoon progress and a widening rainfall deficit in the region.

The timing is especially relevant in Nagpur, where the NEET re-test is scheduled for 2 pm to 5 pm, during the hottest part of the day.

Delhi-NCR remains unsettled

Delhi-NCR has also been on a run of unsettled weather forecasts. Earlier reports on June 18 and June 19 said IMD expected rain and thunderstorms in the region through June 21, with gusty winds and temperatures below 40 C.

Those earlier updates did not carry the same color-coded warning level as the heatwave alert now seen in Vidarbha, but they show the broader pattern of active pre-monsoon and monsoon-season weather across north India.

What to watch next

The key question is how the forecast evolves over the next day: whether the heavy rain materializes in the northeast, whether local advisories are upgraded, and whether the heatwave pockets in East Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha persist into June 22 and June 23.

Residents in affected areas should follow IMD updates and local administration warnings, especially where thunderstorms, lightning and heat exposure may overlap with travel, school or exam schedules.