New Delhi, June 29, 2025 — The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially declared the arrival of the southwest monsoon across the entire country, nine days ahead of its normal schedule. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the cloud-cloaked hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the sudden and early surge of rains has brought both relief and rising concern.
According to the IMD, the monsoon, which typically covers the whole country by July 8, has now advanced over the last remaining regions—Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi—as of June 29, completing its journey well ahead of time.
Delhi-NCR Drenched as Monsoon Sweeps In
The early arrival of the monsoon brought light to moderate rain showers across Delhi-NCR over the weekend. Areas such as Rohini, Pitampura, Karawal Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Dwarka, and IGI Airport experienced intermittent rainfall accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to 50 km/h.
The showers offered much-needed respite from the capital’s scorching summer heat but also caused waterlogging in several pockets, affecting traffic in some areas.
Neighbouring cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurugram also recorded rainfall, signaling the start of what could be a long and intense monsoon spell.
Red Alert in Uttarakhand, Char Dham Yatra Suspended
In stark contrast to the cooling showers in Delhi, Uttarakhand is facing the harsh side of the monsoon. The IMD has issued a red alert for June 29 and 30, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in several districts including:
- Uttarkashi
- Rudraprayag
- Tehri Garhwal
- Dehradun
- Pauri Garhwal
- Champawat
- Bageshwar
- Udham Singh Nagar
- Haridwar
In response, authorities have temporarily suspended the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours, halting pilgrims headed to Badrinath and Kedarnath at Srinagar and Rudraprayag, while those en route to Yamunotri and Gangotri are being stopped at Vikasnagar and Barkot.
“Pilgrims already at the shrines are being escorted back to safer areas under strict monitoring,” confirmed Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey.
Tragedy in Uttarkashi: Cloudburst Triggers Landslide
Disaster struck early Saturday morning in Barkot, Uttarkashi, where a cloudburst near Silai Band triggered a landslide at a hotel construction site. As per District Magistrate Prashant Arya, nine labourers are missing after debris swept through their shelter.
Rescue operations led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police are ongoing despite continuous downpour and treacherous conditions. Key routes to Yamunotri and Gangotri remain blocked due to landslides, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
Himachal Pradesh on Edge: Beas River Swells
The monsoon’s wrath isn’t limited to Uttarakhand. Himachal Pradesh is also under moderate to high flash flood alert, particularly in:
- Bilaspur
- Chamba
- Hamirpur
- Kangra
- Kullu
- Mandi
- Shimla
- Sirmaur
- Solan
- Una
Heavy rainfall has increased the risk of landslides, surface runoff, and flash floods, especially in low-lying areas.
In Mandi, rising water levels forced authorities to open all five gates of the Pandoh Dam, releasing 36,000 cusecs of water following upstream flushing at Larji Dam. People living along the Beas riverbanks have been strictly warned to stay away as water levels continue to surge.
Public Advisory Issued Across North India
With rainfall expected to intensify over the next 24 hours, district administrations in Delhi, Haryana, Himachal, and Uttarakhand have issued advisories asking residents to:
- Avoid low-lying and landslide-prone areas
- Refrain from crossing overflowing rivers or streams
- Keep emergency contact numbers handy
- Stay tuned to weather updates and local alerts
The IMD has also issued an orange alert for July 1 and 2 in Uttarakhand, cautioning that continued rainfall could worsen conditions and increase the risk of landslides, flash floods, and waterlogging.
Climate Perspective: What the Early Monsoon Means
While the early arrival of monsoon is not unprecedented, its intensity and widespread impact across North India are raising concerns about extreme weather events becoming more common due to climate change.
“Such early and vigorous monsoon behavior indicates shifting patterns in rainfall distribution. This demands stronger disaster preparedness and climate resilience,” noted a senior IMD official.
As the monsoon spreads its wings across the country well ahead of schedule, it brings with it a mixed bag of relief, risk, and responsibility. While cooler temperatures and rains are a welcome change, the unfolding situations in Uttarkashi and Himachal serve as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable fury.
Authorities remain on high alert, and citizens are urged to stay indoors during heavy rain periods, steer clear of rivers, and remain informed through official weather bulletins.
