Heavy rainfall across India has resulted in tragic incidents and widespread disruption, particularly in southern Gujarat and Kerala. On Tuesday,July 7,2026, a mudslide at tunnel project in Wayanad,Kerala,claimed the lives of at least three people, with five others reported missing. This disaster coincided with severe weather conditions that have plagued several states,including Maharashtra and Gujarat, over the past few days.
In Gujarat, the Surat district bore the brunt of the downpour, where five individuals died due to rain-related incidents within span of two days . The relentless rains forced authorities to evacuate over 2,100 residents from flooded areas to safer locations. Reports indicate that the rainfall has been classified as “extremely heavy” in parts of southern Gujarat,exacerbating the situation.
Meanwhile,the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of increased rainfall activity across northern India in the coming days. The IMD noted that rainfall deficit has decreased to 12%,with the first week of July showing above-normal monsoon activity. This development comes amid concerns regarding the potential impact of El Niño on the monsoon season .
In response to these weather challenges, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) convened high-level review meeting led by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra. The meeting focused on assessing the preparedness measures for the kharif season and the implications of El Niño on various sectors. IMD officials presented an overview of the rainfall situation from June to July 7, including updates on monsoon coverage across the country .
The onset of the monsoon was delayed by approximately ten days in several states, including Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,and Maharashtra. In Uttarakhand, moderate to heavy rainfall on Tuesday led to closure of 32 roads due to debris falling from the hills . Pantnagar recorded 107 mm of rainfall,while other areas such as Chorgalia and Rudrapur received 79.5 mm and 43.5 mm, respectively.
In Mumbai,after two days of intense rainfall,conditions improved on Tuesday, allowing local train services and road transport to return to normal. The city recorded an average rainfall of 22.39 mm between 8 am and 8 pm, with eastern and western suburbs receiving 23.04 mm and 25.93 mm, respectively. However,train services on the Western Railway faced disruptions again on Tuesday evening due to rising water levels between Vasai and Virar stations.
Gurugram also experienced significant rainfall, leading to road cave-ins,waterlogging, and severe traffic congestion . The main carriageway on the Delhi-Jaipur highway (NH-48) collapsed near Narsinghpur,prompting the closure of two lanes and causing massive traffic jam stretching several kilometers. Commuters found themselves stranded as authorities implemented traffic diversions to manage situation.
As the monsoon continues to impact various regions,the IMD remains vigilant in monitoring weather patterns. The agency's forecasts suggest that heavy rainfall may persist,raising concerns about further incidents and the overall preparedness of local authorities to handle the ongoing challenges posed by monsoon.
