IMD Monsoon Alert 21 July 2026: Monsoon disaster in Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal, ‘Red Alert’ of Meteorological Department; Heavy rain warning in 21 states of the country including UP, know the condition of your state

Monsoon is in full swing across the country and from the plains of North India to the Himalayan states, monsoon clouds have taken a formidable form. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today released the latest weather forecast for Tuesday, July 21, 2026 for the hilly states. Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand ‘Red Alert’ has been issued for. Along with this, a serious warning of heavy to very heavy rain has been issued in 21 other states of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Bihar and Rajasthan. From a reporter’s point of view, due to incessant rains, there is a danger of flash floods and landslides in the mountains, while life in the plains has been badly affected.

Nature’s havoc on the mountains: Red alert in Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal

Monsoon rains have created a situation of devastation in the hill states. According to the weather center, the next 24 to 48 hours may prove to be very critical for these states:

• Jammu and Kashmir: Due to torrential rains in Pir Panjal region (Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and Kathua) of Jammu division, incidents of flash floods and landslides have intensified. In view of the situation in Poonch and Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has given strict instructions to all the district administrations to submit situation reports every 6 hours.

• Himachal Pradesh: Red alert of ‘extremely heavy rain’ is in force in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and Shimla. Cloudburst-like incident has caused huge damage in Milgu forest of Chamba. The Meteorological Department has advised tourists and local people to completely stay away from rivers, drains and landslide-prone routes.

Alert of heavy rain in more than 30 districts of Uttar Pradesh

Due to the activation of Monsoon Trough and cyclonic circulation in Uttar Pradesh (UP), the rains are not stopping.

• Disaster in Eastern and Western UP: There is a possibility of torrential rain and lightning along with thunder and lightning in the districts of Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Basti, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Bareilly divisions.

• Rising water level of rivers: Ghaghra, Sharda, Rapti and Alaknanda rivers are in spate due to release of water from Terai areas of Uttarakhand and Nepal and incessant rains, increasing the risk of flooding in coastal villages.

Weather update of Delhi-NCR and other states

Strong monsoon activity continues in the plain states also:

• Delhi-NCR and Haryana-Punjab: Intermittent moderate to heavy showers are expected in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. Yellow alert has been maintained in the national capital in view of the possibility of thunderstorm and lightning.

• Warning in other 21 states: There is a possibility of heavy rain for the next 3 days in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Konkan and Goa and Kerala.

Guidelines of Meteorological Department and Administration

Disaster management officials and IMD have asked citizens living in areas experiencing heavy rains to take special precautions:

• Avoid unnecessary travel: There are frequent debris flows on hilly roads (like Yamunotri Highway and Jammu-Srinagar NH), so avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.

• Keep away from electricity and water: During storms, do not take shelter under tall trees or electric poles and drive vehicles with caution on waterlogged roads.

• Advice for farmers: Stop farming and irrigation related activities in coastal and waterlogged areas for the time being.