Monsoon Becomes Active Across Many States – Heavy Rain Warning

20-Jul-2026 04:53 PM

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that after remaining sluggish and inactive last week, the southwest monsoon has now become dynamic and active, triggering a fresh spell of intense rainfall across several states.

Torrential rains are lashing Bihar and neighboring states in eastern India; while this has disrupted normal life, it has created favorable conditions for paddy transplantation. It is worth noting that paddy is cultivated over vast areas in states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Assam, and the sowing acreage had previously lagged due to a rainfall deficit.

According to the weather department, the monsoon will remain highly dynamic and vigorous in this new phase, bringing good rainfall across a vast stretch—from Rajasthan to Bengal and from Jammu & Kashmir to Karnataka. Rain is also expected in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha. Indications point to heavy rainfall in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, while scattered rainfall is likely in South India.

A spell of rain is expected to continue in the northeastern states over the next few days. Similarly, widespread heavy rainfall is forecast for northwest India.

The rainfall is expected to accelerate the sowing of Kharif crops across all states, potentially narrowing the significant gap in total sown area. In the southern peninsula, rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is likely in Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.