Kerala's Wayanad district is under a red alert due to very heavy rainfall and a landslide at the Kalladi tunnel project site, resulting in one confirmed death, seven hospitalised, and seven missing. Neighbouring Kozhikode is also under a red alert, with orange alerts for other districts. Evacuation efforts are underway, and the landslide pushed a bus into a river.
Mumbai and its suburbs experienced widespread pre-monsoon showers, offering relief from the recent heat and humidity. Several areas received moderate to heavy rainfall, with no major disruptions reported.
'This system will be of immense help in agricultural planning, disaster management and water resources management.'
The Western Railway administration said a commuter stabbed Lohar inside a first-class coach of a Churchgate-Nallasopara fast local train during a fight over the doors.
The India Meteorological Department forecasts the southwest monsoon to arrive in Kerala in the next two to three days, slightly delayed from the typical June 1 start. The department also predicts below-normal rainfall for the season due to emerging El Nino conditions.
The BMC is closely monitoring reservoir levels and enforcing water conservation measures as concerns over supply grow.
The Indian government has identified 111 districts as 'most vulnerable' to crop damage due to a 43 per cent monsoon deficit, driven by El Nino, which threatens kharif sowing. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that weak monsoon conditions are expected to persist until July 2, prompting contingency plans and recommendations for alternative, less water-intensive crops.
As heavy rains continued to pound Mumbai on Sunday, an 18-year-old motorcyclist and a senior citizen lost their lives in tree-collapse incidents, pushing the death toll from such tragedies in the city to three in less than a week.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted an early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, expected around May 26. This marks the beginning of the crucial rainy season for India.
Most north Indian states reported below-normal temperatures on Monday, with rain and thunderstorms lashing parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. The southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala in the next two to three days.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and warnings include potential flash floods, structural damage, and disruptions to essential services. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also urged caution and deployed officials to monitor the situation.
Thousands of protesters, including children, students, and the elderly, gathered in central Delhi for the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Chalo Sansad' march towards Parliament. The protest, coinciding with the Monsoon Session, led to clashes with police, who used tear gas and lathi-charge, resulting in injuries to both sides and suspension of internet services. Despite police action and barricades, protesters repeatedly attempted to reach Parliament, leading to a day-long standoff.
A poor monsoon could drag overall economic growth and compound the impact of the West Asia conflict on the Indian economy.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for the next few days. The forecast extends through Friday, with a brief yellow alert on Tuesday. Neighbouring Palghar is under a red alert, and Raigad is under an orange alert for five days.
Several districts in Uttar Pradesh experienced rainfall, with Kanpur City recording the highest precipitation. The India Meteorological Department reported a drop in temperatures across the state, including Lucknow, and issued a forecast for continued rain in western UP.
India's consumption stocks, which have outperformed the broader market, are now facing significant pressure due to a gradual rise in fuel prices and the potential for higher inflation. Analysts warn that companies may be forced to pass on increased input costs to consumers, potentially hurting demand across both staples and discretionary categories, with a looming threat of deficient monsoon rainfall further exacerbating inflationary concerns.
The Bombay High Court strongly criticised the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its failure to secure open manholes, questioning why it acts only after fatalities occur. The court dismissed BMC's progress reports as an "eyewash" following the death of Aslam Shaikh, who fell into an open manhole. Despite BMC's assurances and actions like suspending officials and offering compensation, the court emphasised the need for preventive measures before the monsoon season.
The monthly average rainfall over India is expected to be below normal during July, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday in its monthly forecast.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended his indefinite hunger strike, stating he will continue until youth leaders meet parliamentarians or he is allowed to do so from the hospital. This decision follows police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's "Sansad Chalo" march, where thousands were detained while demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The weather office has warned that the prevailing monsoon conditions could trigger flash floods, landslides, waterlogging and a further rise in river levels across the Northeast.
Cyril Radcliffe drew India's border without ever visiting it. Turns out our environmental clearance system learned the same trick -- and the Western Ghats are paying for it, points out Binu Alex.
Blue is one of those rare shades that can instantly define your mood and, quite ironically, even beat the blues for you.
A committee investigating the fatal Chembur tree crash has recommended fines of Rs 5 lakh on the roadwork contractor and Rs 2 lakh on the supervising consultant. The panel found no prima facie fault with BMC's garden and roads departments but suggested implementing a Standard Operating Procedure for urban tree safety and appointing tree experts to oversee pruning work to prevent future incidents.
As heavy rains continue to lash Kerala, the India meteorological department on Friday issued an orange alert in eight districts in Kerala for Friday.
Following the tragic death of a student in Mumbai due to a tree collapse, Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar has mandated a city-wide safety survey of dangerous trees. The survey will cover schools, colleges, housing societies, hospitals, and major traffic junctions, with a focus on identifying and addressing unstable trees and branches to prevent future incidents, especially during the monsoon season.
A 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai during heavy rains, leading to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suspending four officials and initiating a homicide case against the responsible contractor for alleged negligence.
A baby Indian Rock Python was safely rescued from the locomotive cabin of the Madgaon-CSMT Janshatabdi Express upon its arrival at CSMT, Mumbai. The incident, occurring during the monsoon season, highlights wildlife seeking shelter and marks the second reptile rescue in the city recently.
'We should expect extreme heat, extreme rains, floods, landslides and maybe cyclones. Not just this year, in the coming year as well.'
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said 52 deaths have been reported so far due to pre-monsoon rains in the state, along with damage to properties, and directed officials concerned to provide immediate relief.
The record monsoon rains across India during the June to September months was 937.2 millimetres, the 5th-highest since 2001 and 38th-highest since 1901.
'Those under pressure from the BJP and the police, or due to court cases, the ED, CBI, CID, local police officers, or the STF, I request that you make your decision before July 21.'
Weak monsoon rains could have a negative impact on India's automobile sector which is seeing early signs of improvement with the sale of passenger cars and utility vehicles rising in May.
The June-September monsoon has so far delivered 1 per cent higher rainfall than average
'Why not aspire for 8 or 9 or even 10 per cent?'
India's total automobile retail sales recorded a significant 9.55 per cent year-on-year growth in May, reaching an all-time high of 25,31,067 units, driven by strong performances in three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, and tractors, despite prevailing heatwave conditions and fuel price pressures.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to ensure the transparent and timely implementation of welfare schemes announced in the budget, warning of potential fund reductions for departments failing to utilise allocated budgets effectively.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal rainfall for most parts of India during the post-monsoon season (October to December), except for some areas in the northwest. The southwest monsoon season ended with the country recording eight per cent above normal rainfall.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a 10 per cent water cut across Mumbai starting May 15, citing concerns over a below-normal monsoon forecast due to the El Nino weather pattern. The current water stock in the city's seven lakes is expected to last until July 6.
During the four-month monsoon period, India recorded the highest rainfall since 1994, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday, making it the earliest onset of the annual rainfall season over the state in 35 years, according to the India Meteorological Department. The monsoon is expected to advance to Mumbai and some other parts over the next three days. The monsoon advanced into some more parts of the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, north Bay of Bengal, and parts of Mizoram, parts of Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday. The northern limit of monsoon passes through Devgad, Belagavi, Haveri, Mandya, Dharmapuri, Chennai, Aizawl and Kohima. Conditions are favorable for further advance into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, some parts of Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, more parts of west-central and North Bay of Bengal and some more parts of North Eastern states during next three days. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009.
