India’s 2026 southwest monsoon is intensifying rapidly, bringing widespread flooding, landslides, deadly lightning strikes and severe thunderstorms across large parts of the country. At least 18 people have been killed in weather-related incidents over the past 24 hours, while floodwaters continue to spread across northeastern India and torrential rain disrupts major cities as the monsoon advances toward northern India.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple red, orange and yellow alerts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, thunderstorms and damaging winds over the coming days.
The southwest monsoon has now covered most of India, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, as well as parts of Haryana and Punjab. According to the IMD, atmospheric conditions remain favorable for the monsoon to reach Delhi and the remaining parts of northwestern India within the next 48 hours.
Red and orange alerts remain in effect for Gujarat, Konkan and Goa, coastal Karnataka and Madhya Maharashtra, where isolated locations could receive more than 204.5 mm (8.1 inches) of rainfall. Additional orange and yellow alerts cover much of central, northern and northeastern India as heavy rain spreads across the country.
July 1, 2026
— Jasmine (@Jasmine42368794) July 3, 2026
Mumbai, India
Torrential monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding in Mumbai, disrupting transportation and snarling traffic throughout the city.#Climate #news #India pic.twitter.com/U1WMh5J5hb
One of the hardest-hit urban areas has been Mumbai, where overnight torrential rainfall triggered widespread flooding, traffic disruption and infrastructure damage.
The IMD has issued a Red Alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad, warning of intense rainfall and wind gusts of 50 to 60 km/h (31 to 37 mph). Mumbai recorded 172 mm (6.8 inches) of rainfall, while Santacruz received 205 mm (8.1 inches) in less than 24 hours.
Heavy rain combined with high tide flooded numerous roads across the city, inundating neighborhoods including Hindmata, Sion, Wadala, Dadar and Chembur. Nearly 100 incidents of fallen trees and branches, multiple short circuits and several wall collapses were reported within 24 hours. A landslide also disrupted traffic along the Mumbai-Goa Highway after rocks and soil blocked part of the roadway.
أمطار موسمية غزيرة تضرب مدينة #مومباي الهندية، متسببةً بفيضانات واسعة وتعطل الحركة في عدد من المناطق مع استمرار تأثير موسم الرياح الموسمية.🚨#Mumbai #India #Monsoon #Floods #Weather pic.twitter.com/COw8Wm3mkH
— طقس_العالم ⚡️ (@Arab_Storms) July 1, 2026
The most severe flooding continues across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, where the first major flood wave of the 2026 monsoon has inundated communities and farmland.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), more than 48,500 people have now been affected. Floodwaters have submerged 179 villages and more than 2,100 hectares (5,190 acres) of agricultural land, while thousands of residents have been displaced.
In neighboring Arunachal Pradesh, at least three people have died after flash floods and rain-triggered landslides swept through mountainous areas.
The worsening situation prompted India’s Union Cabinet to meet on July 2 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review conditions in the northeastern states as emergency response operations continue.
Landslides and lightning turn deadly
In Karnataka, a rain-induced landslide destroyed a home in Mangaluru’s Nagori area, killing three people, including two young girls. In Himachal Pradesh, four rain-related deaths were confirmed on July 2, including a woman struck by a falling boulder along the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms have produced dangerous lightning across northern India. In Uttar Pradesh, eight people reportedly lost their lives after being struck by lightning during the past 24 hours, prompting renewed safety warnings from the IMD.
Authorities in Uttarakhand remain on alert as rivers approach danger levels and helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham have been suspended because of hazardous weather conditions.
The IMD has also advised fishermen to remain off the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal waters due to rough seas and strong winds, while urging farmers to protect crops and livestock as the southwest monsoon continues its advance. With additional heavy rainfall expected over the coming
