Southwest monsoon reaches eastern Rajasthan 7 days late, heavy rain alert
Synopsis
The Southwest Monsoon finally entered eastern Rajasthan on 2 July — seven days late — with the IMD flagging heavy rain risk in Kota, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Bharatpur divisions within 24 hours. The delay has compounded agricultural uncertainty across the state, even as the monsoon simultaneously covered Delhi, Punjab, and most of Madhya Pradesh in a single-day advance.
Key Takeaways
The Southwest Monsoon reached eastern Rajasthan on 2 July , arriving seven days behind its normal onset date.
The Northern Limit of the Monsoon (NLM) currently runs through Tonk , Jaipur , and Alwar .
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Kota division within the next 24 hours .
Active monsoon conditions are expected across Jaipur , Bharatpur , Kota , Udaipur , and Ajmer divisions over the next one to two days .
Parts of Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions in western Rajasthan are also expected to see thunderstorms and light to moderate rain in coming days.
Residents, farmers, and commuters have been advised to exercise caution and follow official IMD bulletins.
The Southwest Monsoon advanced into eastern Rajasthan on Thursday, 2 July, arriving seven days behind its normal onset schedule, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed. The Northern Limit of the Monsoon (NLM) is currently passing through Tonk, Jaipur, and Alwar, with conditions remaining favourable for further advancement into additional parts of the state over the next two to three days.
Monsoon's Wider Advance on Thursday
Thursday's progression was not limited to Rajasthan alone. According to the IMD, the Southwest Monsoon simultaneously moved into additional parts of Gujarat, the remaining areas of Uttar Pradesh, the entire Delhi region, most parts of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. The NLM now extends through 22°N/60°E, 22°N/65°E, Porbandar, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Neemuch, Tonk, Bhiwani, Bathinda, and 32.5°N/70°E.
Rainfall Forecast for Eastern Rajasthan
The Meteorological Centre has forecast active monsoon conditions over eastern Rajasthan in the next 24 hours. Moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected across parts of Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur, and Jaipur divisions. Heavy rainfall at isolated locations is particularly likely in districts under the Kota division.
Over the next one to two days, monsoon activity is expected to remain vigorous across Jaipur, Bharatpur, Kota, Udaipur, and Ajmer divisions. Widespread rainfall is anticipated across most of eastern Rajasthan, with heavy showers at isolated spots and light to moderate rain in several districts.
Official Advisory and Public Caution
'Residents are advised to remain alert in low-lying areas that may experience waterlogging due to intense rainfall,' said R.S. Sharma, Director, Meteorological Centre, Jaipur. The IMD has urged the public to stay updated with official weather bulletins and exercise caution during periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
Farmers, commuters, and local authorities have also been advised to take necessary precautions in view of the expected weather conditions. This comes amid a broader national pattern of delayed monsoon onset that has affected agricultural planning across several states this season.
Western Rajasthan Also on Watch
Weather activity is expected to increase over western Rajasthan as well. Parts of Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions may witness thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall in the coming days as the monsoon gradually pushes further into the region. The full coverage of Rajasthan under active monsoon conditions is expected within the week, according to IMD projections.
Point of View
But for Rajasthan's rain-dependent farmers, it compounds sowing uncertainty at a critical Kharif window. The IMD's simultaneous advance across Delhi, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh on the same day suggests the monsoon is playing catch-up in a compressed burst — which historically raises the risk of localised flooding rather than the gradual, agriculturally beneficial spread that farmers depend on. The Kota division heavy-rain alert deserves attention: the region's topography makes it prone to flash flooding, and district authorities will need to move fast on pre-emptive drainage and evacuation protocols. What is missing from official communication is a district-level crop-loss risk assessment — something the state agriculture department should be issuing alongside IMD bulletins.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Southwest Monsoon arrived in Rajasthan?
Yes, the Southwest Monsoon reached eastern Rajasthan on 2 July 2025, seven days behind its normal onset schedule. The Northern Limit of the Monsoon is currently passing through Tonk, Jaipur, and Alwar.
Which districts in Rajasthan are on heavy rainfall alert?
The IMD has flagged heavy rainfall at isolated locations particularly in districts under the Kota division within the next 24 hours. Moderate rainfall with thunderstorms is also expected in parts of Ajmer, Bharatpur, and Jaipur divisions.
Why is the monsoon delayed in Rajasthan this year?
The monsoon arrived seven days behind its normal onset date in eastern Rajasthan, according to the IMD. The department has not attributed the delay to a single cause, but late-season monsoon compression — where the system advances rapidly after a slow start — is a recognised pattern.
Will western Rajasthan also receive monsoon rainfall?
Yes, weather activity is expected to increase over western Rajasthan as well. Parts of Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions may see thunderstorms with light to moderate rainfall in the coming days as the monsoon gradually advances further into the region.
What precautions has the IMD advised for residents?
IMD Director R.S. Sharma has advised residents to stay alert in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging. Farmers, commuters, and local authorities have been urged to take necessary precautions and follow official IMD weather bulletins during periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
