Monsoon tracker June 20 highlights | IMD warns of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday (June 20, 2026), 1.6 notches above normal, as the city experienced hot and humid conditions amid a likely delay in the arrival of the southwest monsoon.

The weather office said very light rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in isolated parts of the city during the night.

For Sunday (June 21, 2026), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a generally cloudy sky with thunderstorms and rain. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 39 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius, respectively.

PTI

The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed this month that an El Niño has formed in the equatorial Pacific, and placed the odds at about 63% that it will strengthen into a “very strong” — colloquially, a “super” — event by the northern winter. India’s June rainfall, until 16th June, is roughly 35% below normal. The combination has revived a question that returns with every El Niño year: how reliably do the strongest of these events translate into a failed Indian monsoon?

The IMD has highlighted significant weather developments across the country, including the further advance of the southwest monsoon, heavy rainfall activity in several regions, and heat wave conditions in isolated areas. 

(i) Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand & Bihar, and some parts of Chhattisgarh around June 23, 2026. 

(ii) Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and northeast India during the week with possibility of isolated extremely heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim till June 21. 

(iii) Heat wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets over Konkan & Goa and Madhya Maharashtra today, East Uttar Pradesh & Vidarbha till June 25; Bihar, Telangana till June 21, 2026. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather warning, forecasting heavy rainfall activity across parts of the country. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and the northeastern States during the week. There is also a possibility of isolated extremely heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim till June 21, 2026. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather warning, predicting adverse weather conditions across several parts of the country. Heavy rainfall is expected over Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Odisha. Heavy showers are also likely in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Meanwhile, thunderstorm and intense thunderstorm activity are expected over Rajasthan, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that conditions are favourable for the further advance of the Southwest monsoon into additional parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar, as well as some areas of Chhattisgarh, around June 23. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday (June 20, 2026) said the Southwest monsoon continues to advance steadily across the country, with the northern limit of monsoon currently passing through Harnai, Solapur, Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam, Koraput, Phulbani, Ranchi, Jamui and Muzaffarpur. 

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari said heavy rainfall in North Bengal has caused extensive damage, including the washing away of the Dudhiya Bridge, while authorities continue to monitor the flood-like situation in the region.

Addressing a press conference a day before, Mr. Adhikari said, “Heavy rain has been lashing North Bengal since last night. Siliguri and Darjeeling have received heavy rainfall. There has been extensive damage, and a bridge has been completely washed away. The river situation is out of control. The Siliguri Municipal Corporation has received reports of damage, and landslides have also occurred in some places,” he said.

The Chief Minister said, “The Dudhiya Bridge has been completely washed away. Traffic has been diverted. It will take 4-5 days to restore connectivity,” adding that the State government had approved both financial and administrative requirements for immediate restoration work. - ANI

Kalasapakkam in Tiruvannamalai district received maximum rainfall of 9 cm during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday (June 20, 2026), followed by Kakkudi in Ramanathapuram that recorded 8 cm of rain during the same period.

Fishermen were warned that squally winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 50 kmph are expected along the Tamil Nadu coast, the Gulf of Mannar, and the adjoining Comorin area.

Meanwhile, Chennai and its suburban areas are expected to get some respite from the heat, with light to moderate evening showers accompanied by thunder and lightning in isolated places. - PTI

The National Capital on Saturday (June 20, 2026) saw a slight increase in the minimum temperature even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain and gusty winds for the day.

Safdarjung, representative of the city’s weather, recorded a minimum temperature of 28.7 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degree higher than a day before. The minimum at Safdarjung was also 0.7 degree above the normal.

Other weather stations also recorded slight increases in the minimum temperatures. Palam recorded a minimum temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius. Ridge recorded a minimum of 26 degrees and Ayanagar 27.7 degrees.

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast light rain and gusty winds for the day.

“Partly cloudy skies are expected to persist on Saturday. A spell of very light to light rain is expected from afternoon to evening, along with thunderstorm and strong gusty winds of speed 40-50 kmph,” IMD official said. - PTI

This paper titled “Journey of Operational Weather Forecasting in India” explores the evolution of operational weather forecasting, showcasing the innovations that have improved prediction accuracy and enhanced public safety across the country. 

Schools in Cyberabad may soon hold online classes once a week during the monsoon season, as police plan to approach educational institutions in an effort to ease school-related traffic congestion and facilitate civic works across the commissionerate.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner M. Ramesh said he will soon hold a meeting with school managements and request them to conduct online classes ideally during mid-week in July and August. If implemented, students would attend eight days of online classes in two months. “This will reduce the pressure on the roads and also allow Cyberabad municipal officials to plan and execute civic works,” he said.

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As rains battered multiple districts of West Bengal, one casualty was reported on Friday (June 19, 2026) from Alipurduar. Landslides and flooding battered life in north Bengal. A cardinal bridge in north Bengal, between Mirik and Darjeeling, was washed away owing to heavy rain and flooding. 

The water levels were on the rise in the Teesta River as north Bengal remained on flood watch, and Kolkata and its surrounding areas battled waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

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After a spell of soaring temperatures this June, Chennai and its fringes will experience cool weather on Saturday (June 20, 2026), with strong northeasterly winds bringing in moisture.

The mercury level in the city was around 32 degree Celsius at 10 a.m. on Saturday, much lower than its average temperature of 37 degree Celsius recorded in June. However, humidity level was high at 75%.

This was much lower than the day temperature of 37.9 degree Celsius recorded in Chennai on Friday (June 19, 2026). Palayamkottai had registered a hottest temperature of 39 degree Celsius in the State on Friday.

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As the upper air circulation and trough area persists, heavy rain is expected to occur in more than ten districts around the Western Ghats area of Tamil Nadu from June 21, 2026.

The latest weather bulletin from the Regional Meteorological Centre on Saturday (June 20, 2026) said a significant shift in weather patterns was expected from Sunday (June 21, 2026), paving the way for the onset of the Southwest monsoon.

Accordingly, heavy rain is likely at isolated places over the Nilgiris, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, and Kanyakumari districts, and the ghat areas of Tirunelveli district.

The data further added that owing to heavy rain, maximum temperatures are also expected to fall by four to five degrees Celsius over several rain-predicted districts in Tamil Nadu. - PTI