IMD Issues Widespread Rain, Heavy Shower Alerts for August 8 Across India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued comprehensive rainfall alerts for August 8, 2026, anticipating heavy to very heavy showers across more than 20 states in the country. The advisories, released on August 7, 2026, highlighted active monsoon conditions affecting diverse geographical regions, from the northern plains to the southern peninsular areas and the eastern and northeastern states. For **Delhi-NCR**, the IMD had forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall for August 8, 2026, with warnings of localized flooding and traffic disruptions. The region had already experienced significant rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to August 8, with very heavy rain recorded in areas like Pushp Vihar, Delhi, measuring up to 17 cm. A yellow alert was in effect for Delhi-NCR on August 8, indicating a need for caution. Additionally, the national capital was experiencing a noticeable spike in humidity levels, contributing to uncomfortable conditions, although stray thunderstorms were expected to offer some relief by late afternoon. **Kerala** was under particular scrutiny, with seven of its districts—Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta—placed under an orange alert for August 8, signifying the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The remaining districts in Kerala were issued a yellow alert, warning of isolated heavy rainfall. Coastal Kerala was under a strict storm watch due to intense westerly winds driving heavy rain spells. Consequently, schools and educational institutions in affected districts, including Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Wayanad, had announced holidays for August 8, 2026. The state had also registered very heavy rainfall, with Chemberi in Kannur district recording 17 cm in the 24 hours ending 8:30 AM IST on August 8. Similarly, **Odisha** faced severe weather warnings, with forecasts of very heavy to isolated extremely heavy rainfall on August 8. The state's Nayagarh district recorded 13 cm of very heavy rainfall in the 24 hours preceding August 8, 8:30 AM IST. An orange alert was issued for parts of eastern Rajasthan and Odisha, indicating the potential for heavy to very heavy rainfall, ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in isolated locations. A low-pressure area over south Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha, which formed on August 8, was expected to contribute to the active rainfall over eastern and central India. The IMD's forecast extended beyond these key regions, encompassing **over 20 states** under various rainfall alerts. Heavy rainfall was anticipated across a wide swathe of the country, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Gangetic West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat, Coastal Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab. Some regions, like Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka, were also warned of isolated very heavy showers. The overall monsoon activity was robust, with the western end of the Monsoon trough near its normal position and the eastern end south of its normal position. An upper air cyclonic circulation over south Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha also contributed to the persistent rainfall. The weather systems were expected to lead to fairly widespread to widespread rainfall across Northwest India, East India, Central India, Northeast India, West India, and Peninsular India. Accompanying the heavy rainfall, the IMD warned of potential thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, particularly over Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Strong surface winds were also expected over coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Rayalaseema, Telangana, and parts of Karnataka. Concerns were raised about moderate to low flash-flood risks in watersheds and neighborhoods across parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, and South Interior Karnataka. The department advised residents to remain cautious, monitor official weather updates, and avoid unnecessary travel due to the likelihood of waterlogging, reduced visibility, traffic disruptions, and potential landslides in vulnerable areas. Fishermen were also advised against venturing into several sea areas, including along and off the coasts of Oman, Karnataka, and Kerala, due to adverse weather conditions. This widespread intense rainfall activity was forecasted to continue for several days, with varying intensities across different regions of India, indicating a prolonged active monsoon phase.

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