Monsoon Progress and Weather Updates: India’s Rainfall and Heatwave Dynamics in June 2025

As of June 10, 2025, India stands at a climatic crossroads, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting a dynamic shift in weather patterns. Enhanced rainfall activity drenches northeastern and south peninsular India, promising relief, while the southwest monsoon gears up to sweep into central and eastern regions by June 18. Meanwhile, a relentless heatwave scorches parts of north India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. This blog dives into the monsoon’s progress, regional impacts, heatwave challenges, and what lies ahead for India’s weather, agriculture, and daily life.

Monsoon Progress: A Vital Lifeline

The southwest monsoon, India’s economic backbone, arrived on the Kerala coast around May 31, 2025, slightly ahead of schedule. The IMD’s latest update, as of June 10, highlights:

• Current Coverage: Enhanced rainfall activity blankets northeastern states (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh) and south peninsular India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka).

• Rainfall Intensity: Isolated heavy falls—exceeding 115 mm in 24 hours—are expected in pockets of the northeast and coastal south, with thunderstorms and lightning in tow.

• Advance Forecast: The monsoon is poised to push into central India (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh) and eastern states (Odisha, West Bengal) by June 18, driven by favorable winds and a strengthening low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.

This progression aligns with the IMD’s long-range forecast, predicting a 106% of normal rainfall for the 2025 season, a boon for a nation where 50% of farmland relies on these rains.

Regional Rainfall Breakdown

Here’s how the monsoon is shaping up across India:

• Northeastern India: Meghalaya and Assam see torrential downpours, with Guwahati and Shillong recording 80-100 mm in the past 24 hours. Flood risks loom, but it’s a relief for tea gardens.

• South Peninsular India: Kerala’s coastal belts and Karnataka’s Western Ghats enjoy steady showers, averaging 50-70 mm daily, replenishing reservoirs like Idukki and Krishnaraja Sagar.

• Deficit Areas: Parts of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh lag, with rainfall 20-30% below normal, delaying sowing of paddy and pulses.

The IMD notes a cyclonic circulation over the Andaman Sea, likely to intensify rainfall in the south and east over the next week.

Heatwave Grips the North

While rains cool some regions, north India sizzles under a stubborn heatwave:

• Affected Areas: Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana bear the brunt, with temperatures soaring to 43-45°C in cities like Jaipur, Amritsar, and Hisar.

• Duration: The heatwave, ongoing for 10 days, persists due to dry westerly winds and a delayed monsoon arrival in the northwest.

• IMD Alerts: Orange alerts issued for severe heatwave conditions, with “warm night” warnings—nights staying above 30°C—adding to discomfort.

• Health Impact: Reports of heatstroke cases rise, prompting advisories to stay hydrated, avoid midday sun, and use cooling measures.

Relief is expected post-June 18, as monsoon currents inch northward, though the IMD cautions of a gradual transition.

Impacts on Agriculture and Economy

The monsoon’s progress and the heatwave clash carry big implications:

• Agriculture: In rain-fed south and northeast, farmers plant rice, maize, and millets, buoyed by showers. In the north, delayed rains stall wheat and mustard prep, risking yields.

• Water Resources: Reservoirs in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka rise, with levels at 60-70% capacity, easing drinking water and hydropower woes. Northern dams, however, dip below 40%.

• Economy: A strong monsoon could boost rural demand, lifting sales of tractors, seeds, and consumer goods. Heatwaves, though, hike power costs and strain urban grids.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

With diverse weather at play, here’s how to stay safe:

• For Rainfall Zones:

  • Avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas; check local flood warnings.

  • Secure loose objects against gusty winds; drive cautiously on wet roads.

• For Heatwave Zones:

  • Drink water frequently; wear light, loose clothing.

  • Limit outdoor activity between 11 AM and 4 PM; watch for heatstroke signs (dizziness, nausea).

• General: Follow IMD updates via their app or website (www.imd.gov.in); stock emergency kits with food, water, and medicines.

Looking Ahead

The IMD projects the monsoon to cover most of India by early July, with:

• Rainfall Outlook: Above-normal rains (100-110% of average) likely in central and eastern India by June 18-25, per models like the ECMWF.

• Heatwave Relief: Northwest India may cool to 35-38°C by late June as monsoon winds arrive, though humidity could rise.

• Risks: Flash floods in the northeast, landslides in hilly areas, and lingering heat in pockets remain concerns.

“The monsoon’s advance is on track, but the north’s heatwave tests our resilience. Stay vigilant, adapt to local conditions,” says Dr. M. Rajeevan, former IMD scientist

On June 10, 2025, India navigates a tale of two weathers: enhanced monsoon rains soak the northeast and south, promising progress toward central and eastern India by June 18, while a searing heatwave grips Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. This duality shapes farming, water, and daily life, demanding preparedness for floods and heat alike. As the monsoon marches on, track IMD forecasts, stay safe, and brace for a season of change. India’s weather story is unfolding—stay tuned!