The southwest monsoon, which made an early onset over Kerala on June 4, has remained virtually stuck for the past seven days, hovering over parts of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Meteorologists say conditions are turning favourable for a fresh advance, with the system likely to cover remaining areas of Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the coming days.

While the main monsoon current has been sluggish, pre-monsoon rains and thunderstorms have lashed large parts of the country, bringing both relief from the heat and tragic losses in several states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for as many as 22 states and Union Territories.

 Three Dead in UP Weather Incidents

In Uttar Pradesh, strong winds and rain claimed three lives in separate incidents on Thursday. In Chitrakoot, the roof of a newly built ₹4.5 crore auditorium was blown away by powerful gusts. Authorities reported damage to trees, tin sheds and boundary walls in several districts including Etawah, Sitapur and Firozabad.

Local officials said rescue and relief teams have been deployed in the affected areas. Power supply was also disrupted in many places due to fallen trees and poles.

 Child Killed in Punjab Dust Storm

Punjab too witnessed tragedy when a nine-year-old child died in Mansa after an iron gate collapsed on him during a strong dust storm. Several other parts of the state reported minor injuries and property damage from the squall.

In Rajasthan, strong winds affected normal life while two flights were diverted from Delhi due to poor visibility and adverse weather. Markets in smaller towns wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors during the evening hours.

 Heavy Rain Alert Across 22 States

According to the IMD, a yellow alert for rainfall has been sounded across almost the entire country, with Gujarat remaining the only exception. States including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and those in the northeast are expected to receive widespread showers in the next two days.

Heavy rainfall is likely in coastal districts of Kerala and Karnataka. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds reaching 50-70 kmph are forecast over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh on June 12 and 13. Hailstorms may also occur in parts of western UP, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

 Lingering Heat Despite Rains

Despite the monsoon-related activity, day temperatures continued to soar above 40°C in eight states. Bathinda in Punjab recorded the highest temperature in the country at 46.2°C on Thursday. Other high readings included 45.9°C in Sri Ganganagar, 45.5°C in Brahmapuri and 45.4°C in Banda.

Meteorologists noted that such contrast between heavy local rains and extreme heat in neighbouring areas is not uncommon during the transition phase of the monsoon.

 Monsoon Progress So Far

The southwest monsoon entered the country through Kerala and quickly advanced into parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and the northeast by June 6. However, its further northward push has been stalled over Chennai, Harnai in Maharashtra and Siliguri in West Bengal for nearly a week.

Sources familiar with the weather patterns said favourable atmospheric conditions are building up and the monsoon is expected to gain momentum soon. Once it advances, it is likely to cover most of central and northern India in the coming weeks.

 Ground Reality and Public Impact

In Bihar, continuous rain has left many low-lying areas waterlogged, affecting daily commuters and farmers preparing for the kharif season. In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, farmers welcomed the showers but also worried about damage to standing crops from strong winds and hail.

Delhi and surrounding areas saw intermittent rain and thunderstorms, bringing some respite from the scorching heat but also causing traffic snarls during the evening peak hours.

Officials have advised people to avoid venturing out during thunderstorms and to stay away from open fields and water bodies. Farmers have been asked to secure their livestock and newly transplanted paddy.

 Outlook for Next Few Days

The IMD has forecast continued thunderstorm activity over large parts of north and central India on June 12 and 13. Heavy spells are expected in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Odisha. Isolated hailstorms may hit Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha region.

As the monsoon finally gathers pace, experts are watching closely to see whether the stalled system can make up for the lost time. Timely and well-distributed rainfall is crucial for agriculture across the rain-fed regions of the country.

For now, the focus remains on managing the immediate impact of pre-monsoon fury while preparing for the full arrival of the seasonal rains.