The West Bengal government on Tuesday intensified its preparations for the upcoming monsoon, with urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul conducting an extensive inspection of several waterlogging-prone locations across Kolkata and adjoining areas to assess the readiness of the civic infrastructure ahead of the rainy season.
Several Kerala districts are already under weather alerts as the IMD forecasts thunderstorms, gusty winds and widespread rainfall during the coming week.
The IMD had earlier forecast an early onset of the southwest monsoon around May 26, with a model error margin of ±4 days
Almost since the beginning of the year, social media platforms have been flooded with discussions around so-called “Super El Niño”, with many using the term to make alarming predictions about the Southwest Monsoon — the lifeline of India—in 2026.
Amid apprehensions of economic slowdown exacerbated by multiple factors such as crude oil price shock and currency depreciation triggered by the US-Iran conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, there seems to be some positive news regarding the southwest monsoon—the most awaited weather phenomenon in the country every year.
Torrential monsoon rains wreaked havoc across northern India on Wednesday, causing floods, landslides, and major disruptions in J&K, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. Rivers swelled, schools closed, pilgrimages halted, and thousands displaced as the IMD issued fresh red alerts.
Waterlogging at several places affected the flow of traffic on arterial roads leading to massive jams in several parts and left thousands of commuters, including school children, struggling to reach their destination in time.
Incessant rain has swollen most rivers, streams and seasonal waterways in J&K’s Jammu division, and major rivers like Tawi and Ravi are flowing above the danger mark on Tuesday.
Typhoon Kajiki, the 13th typhoon of the year, brushed past the coast of south China's island province of Hainan on Sunday night, affecting over 100,000 people, according to a provincial press conference held on Monday.
District-wise data shows that Mandi (26 deaths), Kangra (28), and Kullu (11) were among the worst-affected in rain-triggered disasters. Among the deaths, 133 were deaths reported in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, drowning, and electrocution, and another 124 fatalities in road accidents,.
