UP Monsoon Breaks 50-Year Record: 3 Dead in Uttarakhand

UP Monsoon Breaks 50-Year Record: 3 Dead in Uttarakhand Landslides

The UP monsoon has officially broken a five-decade-old rainfall record, signaling the intensity of this year’s weather pattern. As of June 23, Uttar Pradesh witnessed 25% more rainfall than its historical average, recording 66.9 mm of rain instead of the estimated 53.7 mm. This marks the highest rainfall for June since 1971.

Meanwhile, the UP monsoon has extended its presence to 24 Indian states and is expected to reach Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh in the next 24 hours. With just a few more days required for full national coverage, the monsoon may blanket the entire country by June 27—about 10 to 12 days ahead of schedule.

Monsoon Causes Death and Damage in Uttarakhand

The onset of the UP monsoon has also led to tragic incidents in Uttarakhand. At the Nau Kaichi bend on the Yamunotri trek, a landslide buried several pilgrims. Two bodies have been recovered so far, while rescue operations are ongoing.

In Badrinath, a boulder fell on a car returning with pilgrims from Haryana, killing one woman on the spot. In Kedarnath, overflowing rain-fed streams caused mud and debris to flow into local shops, damaging at least six.

Flood-like Conditions in Gujarat Amid Monsoon Surge

The UP monsoon impact extended far beyond northern India. In South Gujarat, relentless rainfall over the past two days created flood-like conditions:

• Surat district recorded 10 inches of rain in 24 hours.
• Surat city received 7 inches of rain in just four hours (8 AM to 12 PM) on Monday.
• Streets and low-lying areas in Bardoli and Khambhat were submerged.
• The Mandvi village of Munjalwa was flooded after a local pond burst.

Surat’s Cosway Bridge overflowed, leading to a complete traffic shutdown in the area. Authorities issued warnings and advised residents to stay indoors.

Weather Forecast for Next Two Days

June 25 Forecast:

• Heavy rainfall expected in: Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi-NCR.
• Isolated heavy rainfall possible in Madhya Pradesh.
• Gujarat, Konkan, Goa on alert for very heavy rain.
• Rain expected in: Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
• Light showers likely in: West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand.
• Tamil Nadu to remain dry and warm.

June 26 Forecast:

• Heavy rainfall to persist in northern states including Delhi, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand.
• Risk of lightning strikes in many northern and northeastern states.
• Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya also expected to receive significant rainfall.
• Southern states will continue to experience consistent showers.

Monsoon Timeline and Coverage

The UP monsoon began early this year, hitting Kerala on May 24—8 days ahead of schedule. By June 23, it had covered 24 states. Normally, the monsoon completes its sweep across India by July 8, with Rajasthan’s Pokhran being the last stop. This year, it may finish by June 27.

Experts attribute the monsoon’s early onset and strength to changing oceanic temperatures and active low-pressure zones in the Bay of Bengal.

Conclusion

The UP monsoon has brought early relief to many parts of India, but it has also caused fatal landslides, urban flooding, and transportation disruption. With forecasts predicting more intense rain over the coming days, state governments and citizens alike are urged to remain alert.

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