Subhechcha Ganguly 
Heavy monsoon showers continued to lash large parts of north and central India on Saturday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue red and orange alerts across several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Haryana. Widespread rainfall has triggered flash floods, landslides, traffic disruptions, and road closures, with Himachal Pradesh emerging as one of the worst-affected regions.
Himachal Pradesh: Red Alert, 240 Roads Blocked
Himachal remains under a red alert, with over 240 roads—including 176 in Mandi—closed due to heavy rainfall and landslides. A flash flood warning has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts. The IMD has also warned of potential damage to crops, infrastructure, and increased risk of landslides and waterlogging. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, the state has reported at least 74 fatalities, 47 of which are rain-related.
Punjab & Haryana: Alerts in Place
A red alert has been issued for several districts in Punjab, while Haryana remains under an orange alert. Heavy rainfall is expected in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Mohali, and nearby regions through July 7. The capital, Chandigarh, is also under an orange alert. Haryana’s Yamunanagar, Karnal, Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Panchkula are forecast to witness heavy downpours. “Active monsoon conditions are likely to persist till July 9,” said Surinder Pal, IMD Chandigarh Director.
Delhi-NCR: Rain, Thunderstorms Likely
Delhi is likely to receive moderate rainfall and thunderstorms, with temperatures hovering around 35°C. Weather experts forecast increased activity from July 6 to 8 as the monsoon axis shifts closer to the Capital.
Maharashtra: Pune on Red Alert, Mumbai on Yellow
Pune’s ghat areas are under a red alert for July 6 and 7, with forecasts predicting extremely heavy rainfall. While Pune city may experience light to moderate rain till July 11, Mumbai remains under a yellow alert until Monday, with chances of heavy rain and strong winds up to 55 kmph. On Saturday, Mumbai’s Colaba received 9 mm of rainfall, while Santacruz recorded 34 mm. Nearby districts like Palghar and Raigad are under orange alert through Sunday, with Raigad’s alert extended till Monday. Rain intensity is expected to ease from July 8.
Bengaluru: Cloudy with Thunderstorms
Bengaluru is likely to witness cloudy skies accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds ranging between 40–50 kmph on Sunday, according to IMD forecasts.
Advisory
Residents in red and orange alert areas have been advised to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow official safety instructions. The IMD has cautioned against possible disruptions to daily life due to ongoing severe weather conditions.
