Monsoon Sluggish in Many Parts of the Country; Rain Continues in Some States

13-Jul-2026 01:20 PM

New Delhi. After being quite active during the first week of the current month, the southwest monsoon has now slowed down in several regions, and the spell of rainfall has ceased there. However, monsoon activity persists in some states, which will aid in the sowing of Kharif crops.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the northeastern states, West Bengal, and Bihar over the next 2-3 days. Similarly, torrential rain is predicted in isolated areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh over the next 4-5 days.

The trajectory of the monsoon has shifted; having moved away from the southern, western, and central regions, it has now reached the eastern and northeastern parts of the country. Certain northern mountainous states—including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir—also fall within its ambit.

The Meteorological Department states that the monsoon may remain inactive for the next 6-7 days across the northwestern, central-western, and southern states.

This includes states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, where little to no rainfall is expected. Monsoon clouds are hovering over Bihar; a 'Red Alert' for heavy rain has been issued for Uttarakhand, and rainfall is being reported from several parts of West Bengal.

Temperatures have risen again in Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh due to the cessation of rainfall. A lack of rain in other states as well raises concerns about the impact on Kharif crop sowing. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts had previously warned that the monsoon would weaken around mid-July, leading to a rainfall deficit in several regions.