India’s major cities and several states remained under the grip of heavy monsoon rains on Monday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued fresh warnings for urban flooding and severe weather disruptions. From Delhi-NCR to Mumbai and across northern and central states, the impact of the prolonged wet spell has once again brought to light the growing need for sustainable and climate-resilient urban planning.
In the national capital region, early morning showers led to waterlogging in several pockets and traffic snarls on arterial roads. The weather agency forecast that light to moderate rainfall would persist through the day. Officials cautioned that more spells could cause further strain on the city’s already stretched drainage systems, highlighting the urgent necessity for cities to modernise stormwater networks to cope with recurring extreme weather. Mumbai, meanwhile, woke up to cloudy skies and intermittent moderate showers, typical of the city’s late August monsoon phase. While the financial hub is no stranger to heavy rain, civic experts have repeatedly warned that climate variability is intensifying rainfall bursts, creating higher risks of flash flooding. The city’s stormwater infrastructure, often clogged with waste, is struggling to handle the deluge, raising concerns over long-term urban resilience.
Himachal Pradesh continued to witness landslides and flash floods in parts of the hill state, prompting the IMD to maintain a yellow alert until August 25. The fragile Himalayan ecosystem, experts noted, is increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall linked to changing climate patterns, underscoring the importance of eco-sensitive construction and regulated tourism. In Uttar Pradesh, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were reported across both eastern and western districts. Rural areas, already under pressure from erratic monsoon patterns, are witnessing damage to standing crops. Meteorologists indicated that further spells could affect paddy cultivation, which relies heavily on well-distributed rainfall.
Madhya Pradesh saw fresh warnings issued for districts including Morena, Shajapur, Neemuch, Mandsaur, Ratlam and Balaghat. These regions are expected to see heavy downpours, while other parts may experience thunderstorms or light rain. Such patterns, say officials, emphasise the urgency of developing water harvesting and flood management strategies in central India’s agricultural heartland. Rajasthan has emerged as one of the worst-affected states this week, with the monsoon trough line passing directly through its territory. The Jaipur Meteorological Centre confirmed heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in southern and southeastern districts such as Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Tonk, where flood-like conditions have already disrupted daily life. Jaipur too recorded heavy showers, forcing authorities to keep rescue teams on standby.
The IMD further cautioned that a fresh low-pressure system is expected to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal, near Odisha and West Bengal, around August 25. This weather system could lead to another round of widespread rainfall across eastern and central India, with cascading effects on urban infrastructure and rural livelihoods. Experts stressed that the intensifying monsoon underscores the wider climate challenge confronting Indian cities and states. With erratic weather now a norm, urban centres like Delhi and Mumbai will need stronger policies around sustainable drainage, green infrastructure, and waste management to avoid recurrent flooding. Rural areas, on the other hand, require climate-smart agriculture and better water conservation to reduce vulnerability.
The unfolding weather conditions serve as a reminder that resilience planning must move beyond emergency response. Instead, investments in eco-friendly, gender-neutral, and inclusive infrastructure are vital to ensure equitable safety and mobility during such climate shocks.
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