In the last couple of days, monsoon activity intensified and is currently in a very active phase over central and eastern India. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are squarely located under the wrath of this.
The IMD warned of rains, thunderstorms and lightning over both eastern and western Uttar Pradesh for the next 24 hours.
Isolated places in Bihar are likely to receive heavy to very heavy showers in the next two to three days, while wind speed would be between 40 and 50 kmph, reaching up to 60 kmph at some points in the entire belt.
The latest spell of rain is a part of a larger weather system that will hit 17-18 states in the country, while another fresh weather system over the Bay of Bengal will drive the monsoon to what IMD termed as a “super active” phase on July 13-16.
Districts Under Alert
Bihar Districts: Most of eastern Bihar is predicted to witness heavy downpour. While Patna, Begusarai and Khagaria are mentioned explicitly, Bhagalpur and Purnia of eastern Bihar too come in for mention.
Uttar Pradesh Region-Wise: The forecast of today’s rain and thunderstorms includes areas in eastern and western Uttar Pradesh. Eastern UP, especially districts such as Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kushinagar, and Lakhimpur Kheri, will be more susceptible to heavy rainfall.
“Although districts of western UP such as Meerut, Bareilly, Ghaziabad have also been put under advisories, they are less intense.”
Note: IMD issues region-level advisories for UP. For district-specific alerts, check your district administration’s official portal or the IMD state forecast page.
What Weather Can Residents Expect Today?
If you’re in these states today, here’s what the conditions may bring:
- Heavy downpours — potentially 60-115 mm in a single session at isolated locations
- Frequent lightning strikes — especially in open fields, river banks, and elevated areas
- Gusty winds disrupting visibility on highways
- Waterlogging in low-lying urban areas and flood-prone village roads
- River levels rising — the Ganga, Saryu, Ghaghra, and Gandak are all swollen from upstream Himalayan rain
How Long Will the Rain Continue?
From July 13-16, the monsoon will be at its highest point across the country, IMD has stated. IMD reports that in UP, various districts will witness spells of heavy rain for the next four to five days.
For Bihar, the severe rain activity will persist between July 13-14, with a gradual decrease thereafter from July 15 onwards.
So today and tomorrow are the most critical days for both states. Plan accordingly.
IMD Safety Advisory
- Stay indoors during lightning warnings; do not stand under trees, near poles, or in open fields.
- Avoid waterlogged roads; even shallow water hides open drains and potholes
- Don’t cross flooded streams or rivers; currents are unpredictable during peak monsoon discharge
- Keep phones charged in case of power outages during storms
- Check before you travel; railway and bus services can be disrupted without much notice during heavy rain spells
- Exercise caution while travelling in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and northeastern states today.
References:
- IMD All India Weather Bulletin (July 12, 20:38 IST):Check it out here
- India TV News — IMD heavy rain alert for 18 states: Click Here
- InformalNewz — Bihar and UP district-level forecast: Know More
Check IMD’s official website (imd.gov.in) and your state government’s disaster management portal for real-time updates.