India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the arrival of the southwest monsoon in Kerala on June 4, 2026, later than the usual June 1 onset. The IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall for the season, around 90% of the long-period average, potentially influenced by developing El Niño conditions.
Delhi experienced its highest maximum temperature of the season on Monday, with several areas exceeding 44°C. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions, forecasting temperatures to reach 45°C over the next four days.
India Meteorological Department launches AI-enabled monsoon advance forecasting system and high-resolution spatial rainfall forecast for Uttar Pradesh
Rain and strong winds lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, providing relief from an ongoing heatwave. The India Meteorological Department issued orange and yellow alerts for thunderstorms, dust storms and rain across different parts of the capital. An orange alert warns of winds up to 60 kmph, lightning and brief rain in southwest Delhi, while yellow alerts cover northwest, west, north, south and southeast Delhi. Experts attribute the weather change to a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining regions of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, which may transport dust from Rajasthan deserts.
Rain and strong winds lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, bringing relief from an ongoing heatwave. The India Meteorological Department issued orange and yellow alerts for thunderstorms, dust storms and rain across different parts of the capital, with winds expected to reach up to 60 kmph. A cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab is driving the weather change, which may also transport dust from Rajasthan deserts.
India faces mounting economic risks as the India Meteorological Department forecasts below-normal monsoon rainfall at 92% of the Long Period Average—the lowest since 2002—due to El Nino conditions. Combined with elevated crude oil prices and fertilizer supply disruptions from the US-Iran conflict, economists warn of upside inflation risks and potential GDP growth downgrade. While IMF has raised India's GDP forecast to 6.5%, a weak monsoon could add pressure on food prices in H2 FY27, though experts believe the impact will remain within RBI's 6% tolerance band.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast continuing heat wave conditions over several parts of north, central and eastern India from April 21-26, 2026. Severe heat warnings are in place for Punjab, East Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, West Uttar Pradesh, and parts of West Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Northeast region, particularly Arunachal Pradesh and Assam-Meghalaya, is expected to receive heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 30-50 kmph.
