A temporary pause in monsoon activity has sent temperatures soaring across large parts of northern India, with several states recording maximum temperatures above 38°C even as devastating floods continue to affect thousands in the Northeast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has simultaneously warned of heavy rainfall over eastern India, particularly in Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal, over the next two days.

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 38°C on Tuesday, while Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh continued to experience hot and humid conditions due to the weakening of monsoon activity across the region.

Heat Grips Northern States

The ongoing monsoon break has led to a sharp rise in daytime temperatures across northern India for the past three days. High humidity combined with soaring temperatures has made weather conditions particularly uncomfortable in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states.

Although parts of Delhi received light evening showers, providing temporary relief, the IMD expects hot and humid conditions to persist in several northern and northwestern states through July 16.

Floods Continue to Batter Northeast

While northern India battles intense heat, the Northeast remains in the grip of severe flooding and landslides.

In Arunachal Pradesh, floods and landslides have affected 102,917 people across four districts. The disaster has claimed seven lives, while 29 people have sustained injuries, according to official figures.

In neighbouring Assam, floodwaters have inundated six districts, impacting 37,032 people across 12 revenue circles and 99 villages. Lakhimpur remains the worst-affected district, accounting for nearly 36,000 affected residents.

Authorities continue rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit regions as rivers remain swollen following heavy rainfall over the past week.

Heavy Rain Warning for Rath Yatra

The IMD has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Puri during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, scheduled to begin on Thursday.

The weather system is being driven by a low-pressure area expected to form over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining western Bangladesh coast within the next 24 hours. The system is likely to trigger widespread rainfall across coastal Odisha from Wednesday through Friday morning.

Officials have advised devotees travelling for the Rath Yatra to remain alert and follow local weather advisories.

Weather Outlook for July 16–17

According to the IMD forecast, July 16 will see continued hot and humid conditions over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Rayalaseema.

An orange alert has been issued for heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms over Odisha and West Bengal, while strong winds are expected across Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

Heavy rainfall is also forecast over Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.

On July 17, rain activity is expected to continue across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, Odisha and the northeastern states. An orange alert for heavy rainfall has also been issued for parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir.

Weather officials have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious, particularly in regions prone to flooding, landslides and waterlogging.