IMD heavy rainfall warning: Assam, Meghalaya on high alert till June 28
Synopsis
Mawsynram in Meghalaya received 530 mm of rain in a single night — more than six months' worth of rainfall for Jodhpur or Bikaner. With the IMD warning of heavy to very heavy showers across all eight Northeastern states through 28 June, and infrastructure already taking a hit along the Shillong-Dawki highway, the region is bracing for a punishing start to the monsoon season.
Key Takeaways
IMD issued a heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for Northeast India from 22 June to 28 June , covering all eight states.
Mawsynram , Meghalaya, recorded 530 mm of rainfall in 24 hours — equivalent to over six months of rain in Jodhpur or Bikaner.
Agartala logged 102.5 mm in 24 hours, causing waterlogging and traffic disruption.
The Shillong-Dawki national highway was damaged, disrupting movement along the India-Bangladesh border .
The Southwest Monsoon arrived in the Northeast on 7 June , two days later than normal; overall seasonal rainfall is forecast as normal to above normal .
Strong El Niño conditions are unlikely to significantly affect the Northeast, according to IMD officials.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday, 22 June issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall across several states in the Northeastern region, placing Assam and Meghalaya on high alert. The department forecast widespread rainfall across all eight Northeastern states through 28 June, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and lightning between 22 and 26 June.
States Under Alert
According to IMD officials, rainfall is expected to be fairly widespread to widespread over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from 22 June to 28 June. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period. Additionally, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are likely over parts of northern India in the coming days.
Record Rainfall Figures
Heavy showers had already lashed Meghalaya and Tripura on Sunday. Agartala, Tripura's capital, recorded 102.5 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, severely disrupting normal life through waterlogging and traffic congestion.
In Meghalaya, the town of Mawsynram in the East Khasi Hills district received a staggering 530 mm of rainfall in a single 24-hour period. An IMD official noted that this volume is equivalent to what cities such as Jodhpur or Bikaner receive over more than six months. Nearby stations also recorded exceptional totals: RKM Sohra logged 470 mm and Mawkyrwat recorded 390 mm in the same period.
According to IMD data, significant rainfall was also recorded at Shella (100 mm), Williamnagar (90 mm), Mawryngkneng (90 mm), Jowai (80 mm), Barapani (70 mm), and Ratacherra (70 mm).
Infrastructure Impact
Persistent rainfall damaged a stretch of the national highway connecting Shillong with Dawki along the India-Bangladesh border, disrupting vehicular movement. This comes amid already strained infrastructure in the hill states, where heavy monsoon rains routinely trigger landslides and road closures each season.
Monsoon Onset and Seasonal Outlook
The Southwest Monsoon advanced into substantial parts of the Northeastern region on 7 June — two days later than its normal onset date — before covering all eight states including Sikkim. By contrast, in 2025, the monsoon had advanced into most of the Northeast as early as 26 May, making this year's onset comparatively delayed.
Notably, although strong El Niño conditions have been forecast for certain parts of India this year, IMD officials said the phenomenon is unlikely to significantly impact the Northeastern region. The area's extensive forest cover, varied topography, and favourable climatic conditions are expected to moderate the effects of large-scale weather patterns. Overall monsoon rainfall across the Northeast during the season is expected to remain normal to above normal.
Point of View
Within the first week of serious monsoon activity, points to infrastructure that has not kept pace with the region's climatic reality. A delayed onset followed by compressed, intense rainfall is increasingly the Northeast's monsoon pattern, and disaster management frameworks need to plan for surge events rather than average seasonal totals.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states are under IMD's heavy rainfall warning for June 2025?
The IMD has placed Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim under a heavy to very heavy rainfall warning from 22 June to 28 June. Isolated thunderstorms with lightning are also forecast across these states between 22 and 26 June.
How much rainfall did Mawsynram receive in 24 hours?
Mawsynram in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district received 530 mm of rainfall in a single 24-hour period. An IMD official noted this is equivalent to more than six months of total rainfall in cities like Jodhpur or Bikaner.
When did the Southwest Monsoon arrive in Northeast India in 2025?
The Southwest Monsoon advanced into the Northeastern region on 7 June 2025, two days later than its normal onset date. It subsequently covered all eight Northeastern states, including Sikkim. In 2025, the monsoon had arrived in the Northeast as early as 26 May.
Will El Niño affect monsoon rainfall in Northeast India?
According to IMD officials, strong El Niño conditions forecast for parts of India this year are unlikely to significantly impact the Northeast. The region's extensive forest cover, varied topography, and favourable climatic conditions are expected to buffer against large-scale weather disruptions, keeping seasonal rainfall normal to above normal.
What infrastructure damage has the heavy rainfall caused so far?
Persistent rainfall damaged a stretch of the national highway linking Shillong with Dawki along the India-Bangladesh border, disrupting vehicular movement. Agartala also reported widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions after recording 102.5 mm of rain in 24 hours.
