Monsoon Covers 16 States In One Week, Heading Towards UP & Jharkhand; North India Under Rain Alert

New Delhi: The southwest monsoon is moving fast. It entered Kerala on June 4 and has not slowed down since. In just one week it has covered 16 states. Bihar is the latest to receive it. Now the monsoon has turned its face towards Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. These states could see monsoon rains within the next two to three days. The pace and spread of the monsoon this year has been better than expected.

Where the monsoon has reached?

As of June 11, the southwest monsoon has advanced further into Karnataka, Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh. It has also covered the remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Parts of West Bengal, the northwest Bay of Bengal and some districts of Bihar are now under the monsoon. IMD says conditions are favourable for the monsoon to push further ahead in the next two to three days.

Rain alert for North India?

North India is also going to get wet. But the reason there is different. A western disturbance is active over the region. Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh are all under rain alert. Delhi specifically has a heavy rain alert for June 11 and 12. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu Kashmir are also expected to get rain due to this western disturbance. IMD says the next one week across north India will see rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong winds. Both eastern and western UP could get rain over the next four to five days.

What about Dehradun?

Uttarakhand is already feeling the impact. Heavy rain hit Dehradun on Wednesday. The Garhi Cantt area of the city received particularly intense rainfall. Residents got relief from the scorching heat that had been building up for days. IMD had already issued alerts for lightning, hailstorms and strong winds across the entire state. Districts including Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat are expected to see light to moderate rain. Higher altitude areas may also see snowfall along with storms.

Haryana totally waterlogged?

When Haryana woke up, there was already heavy rain on the morning of June 11. Ambala and several other areas faced intense rainfall within a short span. Roads filled up with water almost immediately after the rain started. Traffic was badly affected across the city. IMD says Ambala will continue to see partly cloudy skies through the day with one or two more spells of rain and thundershowers. Hailstorms and gusty winds are also on the cards.

South gets more rain?

Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala are continuing to receive and enjoy monsoon rain. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are also getting their share of wet weather. The southern states were the first to receive the monsoon and the wet spell there shows no sign of letting up. IMD is monitoring the progress closely as the monsoon pushes northward and westward.