The southwest monsoon, stuck over Telangana for the past 12 days, is likely to advance further in the coming days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), it may reach Chhattisgarh by June 23, 2026, as conditions favourable for monsoon progression have become active across parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

A cyclonic circulation has formed over central India, which could help monsoon clouds move toward the northern parts of the country. The monsoon has already covered 19 states within 15 days of its onset, but has remained trapped over Telangana since June 8, delaying its entry into key regions including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The weather delay has come at a cruel time for many states still grappling with intense heat. In cities across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana, temperatures remained above 40°C on Wednesday. Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest at 44.2°C. Prayagraj hit 43.6°C, Khajuraho in MP 42.4°C, Brahmapuri in Maharashtra 42.1°C, Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh 42°C, Chhapra in Bihar 41.8°C, and Daltonganj in Jharkhand 40°C.

Tragedy struck as lightning killed 14 people on Friday—six in Bihar and eight in Jharkhand. The weather department has also issued thunderstorm and rain alerts for 12 districts in Rajasthan, including Kota, Udaipur, and Ajmer, where up to 1 inch of rain fell in Bundi, Rajsamand, Ajmer, and Kota. The pre-monsoon rain spell may continue until June 23.

For the next two days, the IMD forecasts rain in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Sikkim on June 21, with strong winds at 50–70 kmph in some Bihar areas. Heavy rain is likely in parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karnataka. Thunderstorms with rain may occur in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Vidarbha, with winds at 40–60 kmph.

On June 22, heavy rainfall is expected in Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh may see rain with strong winds at 40–60 kmph. Thunderstorms with rain are likely in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Rainfall may continue in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

IMD explains that monsoon winds will intensify when the current jet stream pattern weakens. Jet streams are fast winds blowing in the upper atmosphere at 8–15 km altitude, affecting monsoon clouds and Western Disturbances. Conditions for the monsoon to advance into Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and other regions may develop in the next 4–5 days.

In Madhya Pradesh, the monsoon may be delayed by 8–10 days, with entry predicted by June 25. Before that, pre-monsoon activity will continue. On Saturday, thunderstorm and rain alerts cover 38 districts, including Bhopal and Indore. Punjab’s temperature dropped by 2.4°C, now near normal, with monsoon entry possible from June 30 to July 5. Haryana has issued thunderstorm-rain alerts in six districts—Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, and Mahendragarh—where dust storms at 40–50 kmph, thunder, lightning, and scattered showers are expected.

Uttarakhand may see rain in eight districts including Tehri, Nainital, and Pithoragarh, with yellow alerts for light to moderate rain and thundershowers. In Bihar, dark clouds loom over Patna and Bhagalpur; a yellow alert covers 32 districts. Rainwater has entered homes in villages in Kishanganj, Bihar. Kolkata Airport was waterlogged after heavy rain, and rainwater fell from Navi Mumbai Airport roofs, inconveniencing passengers.

Further details on exact monsoon timing across states are awaited. The IMD will update district-level forecasts as the cyclonic system evolves.