The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported significant progress in the advancement of the Southwest Monsoon 2026. Conditions are becoming highly favorable for its further push into key regions, including Mumbai in Maharashtra, within the next 48 hours. This development brings hope for relief from the prevailing heat in several areas but also raises concerns over heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in northeastern parts of the country.
The Southwest Monsoon has extended into additional parts of the central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar as of Monday. The monsoon’s northern borders currently pass through various regions, including Alibag, Pune, Nizamabad, and Gaya. Favorable conditions are expected for the monsoon to cover more areas within the next two days, marking a crucial phase as pre-monsoon activities have already triggered rains in several regions.
In the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded in different regions, with thunderstorms and gusty winds reported across multiple states. The forecast indicates heavy rainfall in Northeast India and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, with isolated extremely heavy falls expected over Meghalaya. Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is predicted in various regions, with isolated heavy to very heavy spells likely in Odisha, Bihar, Konkan and Goa, and several southern states.
Despite the monsoon’s advance, heat wave conditions are expected to continue in certain areas, with high health risks highlighted by the IMD. Regional forecasts suggest rainfall in different parts of India, with warnings for fishermen to avoid vulnerable areas due to rough seas and strong winds. Authorities have advised citizens in rain-affected areas to take precautions and secure loose objects.
