Monsoon Arrives Early in India, Brings Heavy Rain and Warnings Across Multiple States

Weather Updates: This year, the southwest monsoon has surprised weather experts by arriving in India significantly earlier than usual. On Sunday, it advanced into Punjab, having already covered western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh—nearly 10 days ahead of the normal schedule. Simultaneously, the monsoon has become active in most parts of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Monsoon Approaches Delhi

The IMD has issued an alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions, including northwest India, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Konkan, and Goa, until June 25. Madhya Pradesh is likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall on June 23 and 24, while the northeastern states are expected to experience continuous rainfall over the next three days.

The first spell of monsoon rain in Uttarakhand has disrupted daily life. A landslide in Gaurikund has blocked the Kedarnath route for the second time this season, leaving several pilgrims stranded. Heavy downpours in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar have submerged low-lying areas, causing traffic and waterlogging issues.

In Himachal Pradesh, the Munsiyari–Dhapa–Milam route has been closed due to continuous rainfall. Incidents of rockfalls and collapsed bridges have severed road connectivity to several remote border villages, making relief efforts more challenging.

Mixed Impact in Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu, the arrival of the monsoon brought much-needed relief from the heat. Light rain started on Sunday morning and became heavier by the afternoon. However, the Kashmir Valley is still awaiting its first spell of monsoon rain. Areas including Srinagar continue to suffer from high humidity and rising temperatures.

School Holidays Declared

Given the intense rainfall in parts of Jammu and central India, the Education Department has announced a holiday in government and private schools from June 23 onward.

Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Bihar government regarding the mass felling of palm trees, which reports link to a rise in lightning-related fatalities. Experts suggest that these trees help dissipate lightning strikes. Since 2016, over 2,000 people have died due to lightning in Bihar, raising serious environmental and safety concerns.