Category: Weather News

Authorities have ordered around 60,000 people to evacuate. Three fast-moving wildfires threaten Spokane and nearby areas in Washington state. Officials issued the directive by Sunday.

The fires have already destroyed at least 600 residences, businesses and other buildings. As of Sunday afternoon, authorities reported no fatalities or injuries. No one remains unaccounted for at this time.

Responders named the blazes the Old Trails Fire, the Fairview Fire and the Autumn Lane Fire. Together they have burned 5,390 acres, or about 22 square kilometres. A federal incident management team confirmed the fires remain uncontained.

Officials placed extensive parts of Spokane and Spokane County under Level 3 evacuation orders. Residents must leave immediately. An emergency shelter now operates at the Spokane Convention Center. In addition, staff evacuated patients from the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The fires also disrupted several public facilities and utility services.

Strong winds, high temperatures and very dry vegetation drove rapid growth on Saturday. Power outages spread across parts of the Spokane area. Avista Utilities reported that more than 10,000 customers currently lack electricity.

These three fires form part of a larger outbreak. Sixteen wildfires now burn across Washington and have consumed about 250,000 acres. The National Weather Service had warned of extremely critical fire weather conditions over the weekend.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the event as the worst natural disaster the region has faced. Officials continue to assess the full damage. They are still determining whether any lives were lost.

Governor Bob Ferguson spoke directly with President Trump and Secretary Mullin. He outlined the severe impact in Spokane and other parts of the state.

Scientists note that human-caused climate change raises the chance of warm, dry conditions. These conditions help wildfires spread more easily. They also increase the frequency of heatwaves and summer droughts.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Evacuation orders remain in effect for thousands of residents.

India’s Southwest Monsoon Shows Uneven Pattern Despite Gradual Recovery

India’s southwest monsoon continues to display an uneven pattern. Signs of gradual recovery appear, yet the distribution remains patchy. Latest satellite imagery from the India Meteorological Department captures a clear contrast in cloud cover across the country.

Dense cloud bands cover western and central regions. In contrast, large stretches of the northwest and Indo-Gangetic plains stay relatively clear. This highlights the uneven nature of the current monsoon season.

According to the latest IMD rainfall data, India has recorded 395.5 mm of rain since June 4. The normal amount for this period stands at 446.3 mm. As a result, the country faces an overall seasonal deficit of 11 percent.

The nationwide shortfall has narrowed from the severe gaps seen in June. However, the recovery stays uneven. Several states in the Hindi belt continue to report below-normal rainfall.

Satellite images from INSAT-3DS on Saturday morning revealed an active weather system over western India. A depression drives widespread rain across Gujarat and nearby areas. Meanwhile, cloud cover over Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and large parts of Uttar Pradesh remains fragmented. This reflects weaker monsoon activity over northwest India.

Weather experts note that the monsoon trough is expected to shift northward again. This movement should improve rainfall prospects over northwestern states in the coming days.

Beginning Sunday, moderate passing showers are likely to increase over Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Rainfall coverage, however, should stay limited to about 20 to 30 percent of the area. Not every district or city will receive rain during this early phase.

A more significant improvement is expected between August 3 and August 5. Moderate to heavy rainfall of 40 to 100 mm is forecast across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Haryana. During this period, geographical coverage should rise to 40 to 70 percent. This will bring relief to regions that have seen one of the weakest monsoon performances this season.

Meanwhile, south and central Rajasthan are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday. The monsoon system continues to strengthen over western India during this time.

Despite the improving outlook, meteorologists caution that truly widespread rainfall across northwest India may still wait until early next week. The delayed and inconsistent advance of the monsoon has left many parts of the region with prolonged deficits. At the same time, western India deals with heavy, flood-producing downpours.

This evolving pattern once again shows the highly uneven distribution of the monsoon this year. Some areas face flood risks while others continue to wait for sustained seasonal rains.

India Faces Rainfall Deficit in Second Half of Monsoon Season

India is likely to see a rainfall shortfall in the second half of the monsoon season. August and September could bring challenges for kharif crop sowing.

So far, the first half of the season from June to July has recorded a 13 percent deficit against the long-period average. This shortfall has already cut kharif crop planting by 5 percent.

A moderate El Niño continues in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Experts project it will strengthen later in the monsoon. As a result, the India Meteorological Department predicts below-normal rainfall for August and September. The agency defines below-normal as less than 94 percent of the long-period average.

Higher daytime and nighttime temperatures are expected across much of the country. The IMD estimates total rainfall for August and September at 422.8 millimeters. Officials classify this amount as below normal.

El Niño involves warmer waters in the eastern Pacific. This pattern often weakens the monsoon over India.

In addition, August itself is forecast to bring less rain than usual. Long-term records show a declining trend in August rainfall over recent decades.

According to the IMD, rainfall in August 2026 will likely stay below normal in many regions. Exceptions include parts of eastern Peninsular India, some areas of northwest and central India, and isolated pockets in the east and northeast.

Lower rainfall in August should push both day and night temperatures higher. Sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific remain above normal because of El Niño.

Earlier in the season, July delivered normal rainfall. The month finished 1 percent above the long-period average, which ran counter to the IMD’s earlier forecast. Strong rains during three weeks in July narrowed the national deficit. The shortfall dropped from 35.4 percent at the end of June to 13 percent by the end of July.

However, the July rains were uneven. About 53 percent of districts received normal to above-normal amounts. Meanwhile, 46 percent of districts saw deficit or large-deficit rainfall.

East and Northeast India recorded their sixth-lowest July rainfall since 1901. The Southern Peninsula posted its tenth-lowest total for the month in the same period. These figures point to a substantially weaker monsoon in those regions.

Because of the reduced rainfall, July ranked as the second-warmest on record for the Southern Peninsula since 1901. Nights there were the warmest ever recorded for the month. East and Northeast India also experienced their warmest July on record.

Heavy Monsoon Rains Drive Dangerous Flooding in Godavari River System

Intense monsoon rainfall has struck central India. As a result, the Godavari river system has entered a dangerous phase. Several major tributaries now carry massive flood discharges. Water levels approach the High Flood Level in multiple locations.

The most dramatic surge appears on the Indravati River. This river ranks among the Godavari’s largest tributaries. Near Pathagudem on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, the Indravati carries an extraordinary 10,12,881 cusecs of floodwater. Consequently, the river sits close to its High Flood Level. The exceptional flow stems from enormous runoff generated by relentless rains over the Indravati catchment.

These floodwaters rapidly feed into the Godavari. In turn, the main river swells downstream. At the Tupakulagudem-Sammakka Barrage, flood inflows have crossed 12.60 lakh cusecs. Authorities therefore keep multiple gates open to release water safely. Officials urge residents in low-lying areas along the river to stay alert. Water levels continue to rise.

Meanwhile, the Sabari River adds to the flood threat. This major Godavari tributary flows in spate at Chintur. It carries nearly 74,000 cusecs after widespread heavy rainfall across its catchment in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The Sabari drains around 21,474 square kilometers before it joins the Godavari at Kunavaram in Andhra Pradesh. Thus, it becomes a significant contributor during peak monsoon floods.

Flooding has also intensified in Maharashtra. There, the Kathani River has inundated parts of Gadchiroli district. The Kathani feeds into the Wainganga River. The Wainganga ultimately joins the Godavari basin. This process further increases the volume of water moving through the system.

A monsoon depression moving across central India fuels the widespread flooding. The system continues to dump heavy rainfall over Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and adjoining regions. Major tributaries remain in flood at the same time. Additional rainfall is forecast over the Godavari basin. Hydrologists therefore warn that river levels could stay elevated in the coming days.

Disaster management agencies advise people living along riverbanks to avoid floodwaters. They also urge residents to follow any evacuation advisories that authorities issue.

Telangana Gets Widespread Rain After Long Dry Spell

Telangana has received widespread rainfall over the past few days. This follows a long period of deficient rain. The showers have brought relief to farmers. They have also improved the state’s overall rainfall position.

Earlier, the rainfall deficiency stood at 33 per cent. That figure was recorded till 15 days ago. By Thursday morning, it had narrowed to 10 per cent. The India Meteorological Department shared these figures.

Impact on Daily Life

At the same time, the fresh rain has disrupted normal life in parts of the state. Hyderabad saw waterlogging and traffic snarls on the night of July 29. More rain is expected in the coming days.

The IMD has issued a red alert for isolated places in five districts. Meanwhile, the Cyberabad Traffic Police has advised companies and organisations to consider work from home wherever possible.

Heavy Rainfall Recorded in Some Areas

According to the Telangana Development Planning Society, Gullakota in Jagtial district received 70.5 mm of rainfall till noon on Thursday. Sirpur (U) in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district followed with 66.6 mm.

Even so, 13 of the state’s 33 districts have received less than 20 per cent of their normal rainfall so far. The deficiency in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district remains as high as 65 per cent. Rainfall also stays deficient in Hyderabad as of date.

Rivers and Weather Warnings

Rain has pushed rivulets into spate at some places. This has disrupted normal life further. In its weather warning, the IMD issued a red alert for isolated places in Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal and Jagtial districts.

It has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Strong surface winds are also expected. The period covers 1 pm on Thursday to 8.30 am on July 31. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at most places over Telangana during the same time.

A red alert indicates extremely heavy rainfall of over 204 mm in 24 hours.

Traffic Advisory Issued

In view of the moderate to heavy rainfall forecast, the Cyberabad Traffic Police issued an advisory. It asked companies and organisations in the area to consider work from home. It also suggested staggered early logouts from 2 pm onwards.

These steps aim to minimise travel-related risks. They also seek to ease pressure on road infrastructure. In addition, they help ensure smooth functioning of essential services amid the adverse weather.

In a post on X, the Cyberabad Traffic Police said the advisory keeps safety and productivity in mind. It also considers the likelihood of severe traffic congestion and the need for uninterrupted emergency services.

Overall, the fresh rains have improved Telangana’s rainfall position. They have brought cheer to farmers. At the same time, several districts remain deficient. Authorities continue to stay alert over the impact of heavy rain.

Heavy Rain Brings Gurugram to a Crawl

Just 35 millimetres of rainfall was enough to disrupt Gurugram on Tuesday. Waterlogging hit major roads and residential areas. As a result, traffic slowed sharply across the city. Another road cave-in added to the monsoon problems.

The worst-hit stretches included the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway near Narsinghpur. Subhash Chowk, parts of the Gurugram-Faridabad Road, NH-48 and the Sirhaul border also suffered. Vehicles crawled through flooded carriageways. Journeys that normally take 20 to 30 minutes stretched beyond an hour.

Traffic police moved quickly. Assistant Commissioner of Police Satpal Yadav said minor disruptions occurred due to rain and waterlogging. However, teams remained on the ground. He added that the situation stayed under control. Personnel were deployed at NH-48, the Dwarka Motorway, Sohna Road, Golf Course Road, MG Road and other key points.

Rainfall varied across the district. Gurugram tehsil recorded 35 mm between 8 am and 5 pm. Wazirabad received 49 mm. Sohna saw the highest total at 86 mm. Meanwhile, Kadipur and Harsaru recorded 27 mm each. Manesar received 21 mm.

The India Meteorological Department has placed Gurugram under an orange alert for Wednesday. It has forecast heavy to very heavy rain. On Tuesday, the minimum temperature stood at 27.4°C. The maximum reached 31.6°C.

School transport also faced delays. Several buses got stuck in traffic. Students reached home late. Richa Sareen, a resident of Uniworld Garden 1 on Sohna Road, said her child arrived nearly an hour late. “The school dispersed on time. However, rain, congestion and waterlogging forced the bus to stop repeatedly,” she said.

Poor road conditions made matters worse in some areas. Swati Sharma from Sector 59 noted that potholes blocked school buses. One bus even got stuck briefly with children inside.

A section of Revenue Road in Sector 59 caved in on Tuesday. This marked the sixth road cave-in in Gurugram this monsoon. Officials said the stretch had been filled with soil after sewage work. However, the rain caused it to collapse. Repair work began the same afternoon.

Residential areas continued to struggle. Darbaripur Lane and the Sector 69 red light on the Southern Peripheral Road remained flooded for hours. Another chronic hotspot near Euro International School in Sector 10 also saw repeated waterlogging. Residents reported similar problems at Sheetla Mata Mandir Road, MDI Chowk, Iffco Chowk, Narsinghpur, Bakhtawar Chowk and several other locations.

Municipal authorities responded with pumps and suction tankers. MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said teams worked continuously to clear the water. GMDA officials noted that some underpasses and junctions cleared within one to one-and-a-half hours. They also said several key points stayed free of waterlogging this time.

Despite these efforts, residents continue to demand lasting solutions. The recurring flooding shows that drainage problems remain unresolved.

Strong Quake Hits Southern Japan

A preliminary magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck late Tuesday afternoon. The tremor shook Kumamoto on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the event. It occurred at 4:29 p.m. local time. The epicenter sat 10 kilometers, or about 6 miles, below the sea surface.

Authorities quickly issued a tsunami advisory. The quake hit the western part of Kumamoto. That area lies roughly 900 kilometers, or 540 miles, southwest of Tokyo.

No damage or injuries appeared in early reports. Meanwhile, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center assessed the situation. It found no tsunami risk beyond the local coasts.

Officials continue to monitor the region for aftershocks and any further developments.

India’s Monsoon Surges as Deep Depression Forms Over Bay of Bengal

India’s southwest monsoon has kicked into high gear. Satellites have captured a massive cloud shield stretching nearly 1,000 kilometers. This marks the arrival of the season’s first deep monsoon depression over the Bay of Bengal.

The sprawling system is set to deliver widespread heavy to extremely heavy rain across eastern, central, and northern India. The intense weather will last for the next five days.

The latest thermal infrared images from the INSAT-3DS satellite reveal dense bands of towering clouds. These clouds are consolidating over the northwestern Bay of Bengal and the nearby Odisha-West Bengal coast.

The elongated cloud mass stretches nearly 1,000 km from the Andhra Pradesh coast to southern West Bengal. It pumps enormous moisture onto the Indian mainland.

Wind analyses show a clear cyclonic circulation feeding the system. The circulation draws moisture from the Bay of Bengal. At the same time, it interacts with the western arm of the monsoon trough across north India. Meteorologists link this combination to some of the season’s heaviest rain events.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the system strengthened into a deep depression on Monday morning. It had moved slowly northward at just 3 kmph over the previous six hours.

At 5:30 a.m. IST, the center sat near 21.3°N and 88.1°E over the West Bengal-North Odisha coast. It was about 40 km south of Sagar Island, 70 km east-southeast of Digha, 100 km south of Diamond Harbour, 120 km east-southeast of Balasore, and 120 km south-southwest of Canning.

The IMD expects the system to keep moving north-northwestward. It should cross the West Bengal-North Odisha coast between Balasore and Canning during the afternoon of July 27. After that, it will track inland toward eastern and central India.

Because the deep depression is moving slowly, rain will linger over several states.

Odisha is likely to see heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Isolated spots may receive more than 21 cm of rain on July 27. Heavy to very heavy showers should continue through July 30.

Chhattisgarh can expect widespread rain with heavy to very heavy falls on July 27 and 28. Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar are also set for heavy rain over the next few days.

The rain belt will gradually shift westward. East and West Madhya Pradesh should receive heavy rainfall between July 27 and 30.

Uttar Pradesh is also heading into an active spell. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across eastern districts through July 30. The rain will then spread into western parts of the state.

Weather experts note that the deep depression will coincide with the western arm of the monsoon axis moving across the Indo-Gangetic plains. This will significantly strengthen monsoon activity over north India.

As a result, widespread rain is expected across Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh later this week.

The development arrives as India works to erase its seasonal rainfall deficit. With the first monsoon depression of the season now moving inland, forecasters expect rain to become widespread across much of the country through the end of July.

This should bring relief to rain-deficient regions. At the same time, it raises the risk of flooding, waterlogging, and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Keoladeo National Park Faces Serious Water Shortage

Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, is confronting a growing water crisis. The UNESCO World Heritage site depends on steady monsoon rains and an annual supply from the Panchana Dam. Both sources have fallen short this year.

Park officials state that the wetland needs 550 million cubic feet of water each year. Most of that volume traditionally flows from the Panchana Dam in Karauli through the Ajan Bundh. So far, authorities have released none of that water.

V. Chetan Kumar, director of Keoladeo National Park, described the situation clearly. “We have not received any water from Panchana Dam this year,” he said. Several wetland blocks have already dried up. As a result, staff members are moving fish—the main food source for many birds—from dry sections into remaining water-filled areas.

The park now relies on emergency measures. These include limited supplies from the Chambal drinking-water pipeline and groundwater pumping. Officials have requested a weekly delivery of three million cubic feet from the Chambal line. However, Kumar stressed that this water offers only temporary relief. It cannot meet the full ecological needs of the wetland.

The shortage has already slowed bird activity. Several species have delayed nesting because water levels remain too low. Kumar warned that a prolonged crisis will also harm local livelihoods. Naturalists, guides, hotel operators, and others who depend on park tourism face potential income losses.

Keoladeo National Park hosts about 336 bird species. Thousands of migratory birds arrive each winter from Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia. These visitors typically reach the park in early November and stay until March. Meanwhile, many resident waterbirds breed during the monsoon months. The park draws thousands of domestic and international tourists every year to observe its rich birdlife.

According to Kumar, the annual inflow from Panchana Dam does more than maintain water levels. Floodwaters historically carry fish fry, plankton, aquatic plants, and nutrients into the park. These elements sustain the entire food chain and keep the wetland productive. Timely releases support breeding colonies of storks, herons, cormorants, ibises, and thousands of migratory waterfowl. The water supply acts as the primary driver of the park’s ecological health.

With no release from Panchana this season and rainfall below normal, fish mortality has risen. Park staff continue emergency interventions, yet they describe these steps as insufficient for long-term recovery.

The administration has written to the divisional commissioner and the water resources department. Officials are seeking the immediate release of water from Panchana Dam.

Continued shortages could again draw attention from UNESCO. Keoladeo became a national park in 1982 and earned World Heritage status in 1985. In 2000, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee voiced serious concern over inadequate water releases. It called for the required volume to flow from Panchana Dam between July and September each year.

Later decisions in 2016, 2023, and 2025 repeated the same warning. UNESCO has consistently stated that a minimum of 550 million cubic feet is essential to protect the park’s ecological function and Outstanding Universal Value. The organization has also urged Rajasthan to develop a lasting water-security plan.

An Empowered Committee on Forests and Wildlife Management, formed by the state government in 2005, earlier recommended setting aside at least 250 million cubic feet of water from Panchana Dam exclusively for the park.

Park managers continue to press for action as the dry season advances and the next wave of migratory birds approaches.

Heavy Cloudburst Floods Ahmedabad, Brings City to a Halt

Ahmedabad came to a standstill on Thursday. An intense cloudburst dumped nearly seven inches of rain in just two hours. The downpour hit between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Roads quickly flooded. Vehicles got trapped. Traffic ground to a halt. The event also exposed clear gaps in the city’s flood preparedness.

Authorities declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on July 24. Heavy rain continued to batter parts of Gujarat throughout the day.

Civic officials reported the heaviest rainfall in the southwest and northwest zones. These areas received an average of nine inches. The west zone logged eight inches. The central zone recorded 6.5 inches. Meanwhile, the south zone saw about four inches during the same period.

Despite its large municipal budget, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation faced sharp criticism. Roads turned into rivers within hours. Commuters sat stuck in long traffic jams. Many vehicles stalled in waist-deep water.

In Manekbagh, motorists pushed their cars and two-wheelers through flooded intersections. Water reached waist level in several spots. Residents questioned the city’s pre-monsoon preparations. Just two hours of rain had brought the large city to a complete stop.

The situation proved equally severe in Ambli village in Bopal. Floodwaters submerged roads, homes, and public infrastructure. Water levels rose above waist height in multiple areas. A local pond wall collapsed and sent three parked cars into the water. The incident sparked strong frustration among residents.

Several people said civic authorities failed to respond to their distress. “Everyone comes asking for votes, but no one comes when we need help,” residents reported. Many relied on neighbors for rescue and support.

Flooding also affected an Arogya Kendra health center. Nearly two feet of water entered the compound. Staff had to close the entrance. While some children played in the rain, many families struggled as water entered their homes.

Emergency services stayed busy all day. The fire department handled 10 calls about fallen trees. It also responded to two wall collapses and eight electrical short circuits. Police, fire personnel, and municipal workers assisted stranded residents across several localities.

The municipal corporation advised people to avoid 15 severely waterlogged roads. Officials temporarily closed eight major underpasses and later reopened them. Authorities also opened three gates of the Vasna Barrage. This step lowered the Sabarmati River’s water level and improved drainage as the rain eased.

The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in South Gujarat. Parts of Central Gujarat and Saurashtra remained under an orange alert. For Thursday, orange alerts covered much of central and south Gujarat. Mahisagar, Dahod, and Panchmahal stayed under a red alert for extremely heavy rain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. They reviewed the situation. The central government assured the state of all possible assistance.