India’s monsoon is entering another active spell after floods, landslides and lightning reportedly killed more than 100 people since July.
The India Meteorological Department warned that downpours, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds could affect numerous states from August 6 through 11. Localized flooding, Himalayan runoff and landslides are the main concerns.
For a closer look at the atmospheric patterns behind the change, see our earlier analysis of why India’s monsoon suddenly turned so active.
Catastrophic monsoon flooding has inundated Valsad, Gujarat, India, today, causing widespread destruction after more than 1,100 mm of rain. Authorities say one person has died, over 1,200 people have been rescued, and schools have been closed in the worst-affected areas.
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 23, 2026
📹… pic.twitter.com/RkiTSgV2GM
IMD defines heavy rain as 64.5 to 115.5 mm (2.5 to 4.5 inches) in 24 hours and very heavy rain as 115.6 to 204.4 mm (4.6 to 8.0 inches). Extremely heavy rain exceeds 204.4 mm (8.0 inches). Even isolated totals can cause serious disruption over steep terrain, saturated ground or densely developed cities.
For August 6, isolated very heavy rain was forecast over Uttarakhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Kerala and Mahe. Heavy rain was also expected across a much broader zone, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, eastern Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and much of Northeast India.
The Himalayan region faces one of the most persistent threats. Widespread rain is forecast across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand through August 11. Uttarakhand was placed at risk of very heavy rain on August 6, followed by further heavy downpours through the remainder of the forecast period.
Assam has suffered the highest reported toll, with at least 87 deaths. Sivasagar was among the worst-hit districts after rivers overflowed, communities were inundated and thousands of residents were moved into relief shelters.
Kerala recorded at least 15 deaths, with seven people missing following days of heavy rain. More than 10,000 people were reportedly sheltering in over 300 relief camps. In Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, intense rain bursts, flash floods and landslides killed at least 28 people, while lightning strikes reportedly caused another 14 deaths in Jharkhand, many involving farm workers exposed in open fields.
The figures cover different reporting periods and may change as assessments continue.
IMD identified a low flash-flood risk in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, including Mandi, Shimla, Dehradun, Chamoli, Nainital and Pithoragarh.
Even a low flash-flood risk can become dangerous locally. Rain running down steep slopes may rapidly swell streams, inundate low points and send debris across roads, isolating communities with little warning.
Rain spreads from east to west
Very heavy rain is possible in Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar on August 6, with another peak in Odisha on August 9. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh face repeated rain, including a very heavy spell in western Madhya Pradesh on August 7.
Konkan and Goa face widespread rain through August 11. Arabian Sea moisture rising along the Western Ghats will support persistent rain into Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
Very heavy rain is forecast over Kerala and Mahe on August 6 and 7, with locally heavy downpours elsewhere across southern India through August 10.
Northeast India faces some of the week’s most intense weather. Assam and Meghalaya were warned of isolated extremely heavy rain as the spell began, followed by further heavy rainfall through August 11. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura also face repeated downpours. IMD identified a low to moderate flash-flood threat in parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.
The monsoon remains essential to farming and water supplies. However, human-driven warming can intensify short downpours, while El Niño can shift seasonal rainfall. Neither factor alone explains every disaster.
