North India Heavy Rainfall Alert: IMD warns Delhi NCR, UP, Punjab, J&K and Himachal as Uttarkashi risk spikes

North India braces for days of intense monsoon rain

North India is staring at a long, wet stretch. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has flagged widespread heavy rainfall across Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh through late August. The alerts land at a tense moment: hills are already soaked, and Uttarkashi is on edge after deadly landslides earlier this month.

Delhi set the tone today. Through August 25, the city has dealt with overcast skies, steady drizzle in the morning, and intense afternoon bursts around 3 pm. IMD data points to a 92% precipitation probability, sticky humidity near 83%, winds gusting to about 25.6 km/h, and temperatures ranging between 25.7°C and 30.8°C. The weather feels muggy but tricky—moderate temperatures, high moisture, and sudden downpours that overwhelm drains and slow traffic in minutes.

IMDs extended outlook shows the monsoon conveyor belt locked over the north and northwest. The broad picture:

• Northwest India: Isolated heavy rain over Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana from August 22 26; repeated spells over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan for the next 67 days; heavy rain over Uttar Pradesh through August 21 25.
• Very heavy rain pockets: East Rajasthan on August 21 24; Punjab and Haryana on August 23; Uttarakhand August 22 25; Himachal Pradesh August 23 26; West Rajasthan August 23 24.
• Gujarat and Rajasthan: Heavy to very heavy rain for parts of Gujarat up to August 30; Rajasthan remains at risk through August 26, with extremely heavy rain possible over East Rajasthan on August 24.
• Northeast India: A persistent wet spell, with isolated heavy rain over Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh for five days. Very heavy rain is likely in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram, Assam & Meghalaya on August 21 22.
• West coast: Rainfall activity is set to intensify from August 26 as the monsoon surge rebuilds along the Konkan Goa and coastal Karnataka stretches.

These warnings matter because the ground is already loaded with moisture. When soils are near saturation, fresh showers run off faster, fill rivers quicker, and trigger slope failures with less rain than usual. Thats exactly the concern now in Uttarkashi and neighboring hill districts.

Uttarkashi on alert, model signals align, and how to stay safe

The early-August disaster in Uttarakhand is fresh in memory. Between August 3 and 5, a string of cloudbursts and intense showers hit as moist Arabian Sea air surged into the foothills. Add the monsoon trough drifting north of its normal position and low-pressure circulations near the Himalaya, and you get classic hill-country trouble: torrential downpours, landslides, and destructive runoff. More than 100 people were reported missing and 10 deaths confirmed. On August 5 alone, 24-hour totals surged to about 300 mm in Haridwar, 170 mm in Narendranagar, 150 mm in Rishikesh, 130 mm in Jolly Grant, and 120 mm in Kotdwar.

The same atmospheric setup is back at work, though the exact intensity can shift district by district. Forecast models, including the UK Met Office guidance, had already been highlighting high-end precipitation near the Himalayan flank, with localized pockets topping 100 mm in a day. That aligns with IMDs warnings and the northward-tilted monsoon trough. In plain terms: the sky over the hills is primed to wring out a lot of water in a short time.

For Delhi and the plains, this means repeated bursts rather than a steady all-day deluge. Expect short, sharp downpours to cause quick waterlogging, especially in low-lying underpasses and around construction zones. Winds may not be severe but will be gusty enough to drop branches and disrupt roadside hoardings.

Heres how IMD classifies rainfall, which helps decode the alerts you hear: heavy (about 64.5 115.5 mm in 24 hours), very heavy (115.6 204.4 mm), and extremely heavy (9 204.5 mm). Color codes often pair with these. Yellow asks you to watch and stay updated. Orange means be prepared—schools, offices, and agencies should plan for disruption. Red means take action—danger of flooding and landslides is high, and movement should be limited to essential needs.

For the next week, the risk windows look like this:

• Uttarakhand: Frequent heavy rain with very heavy pockets August 22 25; heightened landslide and flash flood risk in steep terrain and along river valleys.
• Himachal Pradesh: Heavy to very heavy rain August 23 26, with slope failures possible on key mountain highways.
• Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh: A sharp wet spell around August 23; localized flooding in urban pockets.
• Uttar Pradesh: Heavy rain episodes August 21 25, especially in the western and central parts; watch for swollen tributaries feeding the Ganga and Yamuna.
• Rajasthan: East Rajasthan stays in focus through August 24 (extremely heavy risk on the 24th), West Rajasthan picks up August 23 24 with strong downpours and strong run-off over desert terrain.
• Gujarat: Multiple heavy rain days through August 30; watch the Saurashtra and south Gujarat belts where short-duration intense bursts are common.
• Northeast: Very heavy rain pulses on August 21 22 over Arunachal, Tripura, Mizoram, Assam & Meghalaya; landslips on hill roads and river level spikes are possible.

Why this matters for disaster risk: saturated slopes fail with little warning. Even if the day starts calm, a one-hour cloudburst can bring down loose rock, uproot trees, and block roads. Rivers may look normal until upstream rain arrives; then levels jump fast. This lag is why late-night surges are common after an afternoon storm far away in the catchment.

Travel and commute tips, city and hills:

• In cities: Avoid underpasses during downpours. Do not drive through water that climbs above the wheel hub; engines can stall and water can hide open manholes. Park away from trees and loose construction material.
• In the hills: Start early, check district advisories, and avoid travel after dusk. Do not stop under cliffs or freshly cut slopes. If you see fresh cracks in the road, muddy water flows, or hear rockfall, turn back and inform authorities.
• Public transport: Expect delays. Keep buffer time if you have flights or long-distance trains. Check for route diversions before heading out.

For families and communities:

• Have a basic 72-hour kit ready: charged power banks, drinking water, non-perishable food, torch, a small first-aid kit, and necessary medicines.
• Keep important documents in sealed pouches. Set phone emergency alerts on. Save local helpline numbers and 112 for emergencies.
• If you live near a river, do not camp on sandbars or close to the channel even if levels seem low. Sudden releases or upstream rain can raise water quickly.

Farm and field advisories:

• Pause irrigation before expected heavy spells; fields will get enough moisture. Clear field drains to prevent standing water around roots.
• Stake or support tall crops like maize and banana. Move farm equipment and inputs to higher ground.
• In dairy and poultry units, keep backup fodder and dry bedding ready. Ensure proper ventilation and roof checks before a storm.

Construction and workplace safety:

• Secure scaffolding, sheets, and cranes. Stop work during an orange or red alert for high winds or lightning.
• Cover cement and materials. Ensure slope protection around excavations. Keep a pump handy at basements and pits.
• Check electrical joints and outdoor panels to reduce electrocution risk in wet zones.

Tourism and pilgrimages:

• Avoid treks, river crossings, and waterfall viewpoints during peak rain windows. Trails become slippery and rockfall can be sudden.
• For temple visits in the hills, watch district advisories and consider postponing in red alert days. Do not crowd into tin-roof shelters during lightning or high wind; move to sturdier buildings.

What the atmosphere is doing: The monsoon trough is sitting north of its usual line, closer to the Himalayan foothills. This tilts the storm track toward J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and the adjoining plains. Moisture feed from the Arabian Sea stays strong, and when it runs into steep terrain, it rises, cools, and dumps its load. Forecast charts also hint at embedded low-pressure pulses that can anchor slow-moving rain bands over one region for hours—thats when we see the dangerous, high totals.

In Delhi NCR, keep plans flexible. Expect a mix: light drizzle spells, sudden 20 40 minute downpours, then breaks. Office-goers should factor in waterlogging around peak hours and consider staggered timings on red or orange alert days. Schools and day-care centers should have pickup buffers and keep parents updated if conditions worsen mid-day.

Rivers to watch include the Yamuna and Ganga in the plains, and fast mountain rivers in Himachal and Uttarakhand that feed them. Authorities may release water to manage upstream storage; people downstream should follow official advisories closely and avoid venturing onto floodplains or closed embankments.

Power and telecom can wobble during long wet spells. Keep devices charged, back up critical files, and switch off appliances if water enters the house. If you spot sparks or downed lines, keep clear and inform the power utility.

For local governments and resident groups, the priorities are clear: clear storm drains, pre-position pumps at known chokepoints, flag weak trees for trimming, and ensure quick access for ambulances and utility repair teams. In hill districts, short closures on vulnerable stretches can prevent bigger mishaps later in the day.

One more thing. A warming atmosphere holds more moisture, which can supercharge short-duration rain. Indias own disaster records show a rise in intense, localized events in several regions over recent decades. That doesnt mean every spell will be extreme, but it does mean planning for cloudburst-like bursts is smartespecially where slopes are steep and soils are loose.

Bottom line for the week: North and Northwest India should be ready for repeat rain episodes, with the toughest windows in East Rajasthan (August 24), Uttarakhand (August 22 25), and Himachal (August 23 26). Delhi NCR will swing between wet commutes and short breaks. Gujarat continues to face multiple heavy rain days through August 30. The Northeast has another high-impact pulse early in the week. Keep an eye on IMD updates and district alerts, and make small, smart adjustments at home and work to stay safe.