IMD issues thunderstorm, heavy rain warning for Assam from May 20–25
Synopsis
The IMD has put nearly every region of Assam on alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds between 20 and 25 May — a six-day window that covers western, central, upper, and southern districts simultaneously. With southern Assam already reporting urban flooding from moderate rain, the forecast signals a potentially difficult pre-monsoon week for the state.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings for Assam covering 20 to 25 May .
Western districts — Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta — face alerts from 21 May , with very heavy rain on 23–24 May .
Upper Assam districts including Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Majuli may see gusty winds of 30–40 kmph between 22 and 24 May .
Southern Assam districts — Cachar, Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Dima Hasao — are also in the forecast zone; the region has already reported urban flooding.
Authorities have warned people to avoid trees and electric poles during lightning, and asked district administrations to prepare for localised flooding and waterlogging.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for widespread thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts of Assam between 20 May and 25 May, officials said on Tuesday, 19 May. The alert, issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati, covers all three broad zones of the state — western, central, and upper Assam — as well as parts of southern Assam.
Western Assam on Alert from May 21
Districts in western Assam, including Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Barpeta, are expected to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and heavy rain from 21 May onwards. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are also forecast for these areas. Isolated places in Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Chirang, and Barpeta may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on 23 and 24 May.
Central and Upper Assam in the Forecast Zone
In central Assam, districts such as Nagaon, Hojai, Morigaon, and Darrang are likely to receive scattered rain and thunderstorms through the week. Parts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong could see thunderstorms with lightning at isolated locations.
Upper Assam districts — including Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Majuli, and Charaideo — are forecast to see intensified rain activity, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph between 22 and 24 May.
Southern Assam Also Likely to Be Affected
Districts in southern Assam, including Cachar, Hailakandi, Sribhumi, and Dima Hasao, are also likely to see thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places during the forecast period. This comes amid reports of heavy waterlogging and urban flooding in southern Assam following moderate downpours in recent days.
IMD Safety Advisory and Administration Preparedness
The IMD has advised residents to remain alert during thunderstorm activity and to avoid sheltering under trees or near electric poles during lightning strikes. District administrations across the state have been asked to stay prepared for possible localised flooding, waterlogging, and disruptions caused by heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Notably, southern Assam has already experienced urban flood conditions following recent rainfall, underscoring the urgency of the advisory.
With the pre-monsoon season intensifying across the northeast, Assam's vulnerability to flash floods and landslides makes the coming week a critical watch period for authorities and residents alike.
Point of View
As southern Assam's recent urban flooding demonstrates. The IMD warning covers virtually the entire state simultaneously over six days, which is an unusually broad spatial footprint for a pre-monsoon alert. District administrations that have not yet pre-positioned relief material or cleared drainage systems are already behind. The recurring pattern of waterlogging in urban Assam after even moderate rain points to a structural drainage deficit that weather warnings alone cannot fix.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in Assam are under IMD heavy rain warning?
The IMD warning covers districts across all zones of Assam, including Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta in the west; Nagaon, Hojai, Morigaon, Darrang in the centre; Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Majuli, Charaideo in upper Assam; and Cachar, Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Dima Hasao in the south. The forecast period runs from 20 to 25 May.
What kind of weather is forecast for Assam between May 20 and 25?
The IMD has forecast widespread thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph, and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall across Assam during this period. The most intense activity is expected on 23 and 24 May in several western and upper Assam districts.
Has Assam already seen flooding ahead of this warning?
Yes. Southern Assam recently reported heavy waterlogging and urban flooding following moderate downpours, even before the current forecast period begins. This makes the IMD advisory particularly urgent for districts in that zone.
What precautions has the IMD advised for Assam residents?
The IMD has asked people to remain alert during thunderstorm activity and to avoid sheltering under trees or near electric poles during lightning strikes. District administrations have been directed to prepare for localised flooding, waterlogging, and wind-related disruptions.
Why is Assam particularly vulnerable during pre-monsoon thunderstorms?
Assam's geography — low-lying river plains, the Brahmaputra basin, and limited urban drainage infrastructure — makes it prone to rapid waterlogging and flash flooding even from moderate to heavy pre-monsoon rain. The current multi-district, multi-day alert compounds that risk significantly.
