Red alert for flash floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal, other Himalayan states

Signalling a high risk of severe weather conditions and potential for significant damage and danger to life, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a red alert for an imminent threat of flash floods across the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, parts of West Bengal, Bihar and Sikkim in eastern India, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the south, and parts of Maharashtra.

The IMD has urged people to remain vigilant over the next 24 hours as extremely heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods and landslides.

Regions at risk

North: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand

East: West Bengal, Bihar, Sikkim

South: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

West: Parts of Maharashtra

What’s behind the ‘extreme weather’ concern

Cloudbursts with intense rainfall are likely to be triggered by the active monsoon systems and low-pressure areas, which can cause rivers to swell, precipitate landslides in hilly areas and cause urban flooding in the plains.

What is a Cloudburst?
A sudden, intense downpour over 100 mm of rain in just one hour that can trigger flash floods, landslides, and devastation, especially in mountainous regions during the monsoon.

High-risk zones:
➤Uttarakhand, Himachal, Northeast states
➤Western Ghats (Goa… pic.twitter.com/ymOXTbCTlo

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) August 13, 2025

What this red alert means

This is the highest warning level from IMD — people in these regions should avoid unnecessary travel, move to higher ground if in flood-prone zones and follow instructions from local authorities.

The IMD’s warning covered 7 districts in Himachal Pradesh and 11 in Uttarakhand, pinpointing the areas with the highest likelihood of flash floods, landslides and sudden river surges in the next 24 hours.

The IMD has warned of very high intensity rainfall in the Himalayan belt — potentially over 200 mm in just 24 hours in some locations, as well as overall heavy rain in the next 6-7 days.

According to the weather office, scattered to broken intense convective clouds appearing in satellite images indicate strong vertical air movement, which can produce very heavy localised rainfall in a short time.

The IMD is extending its caution beyond the Himalayan red alert zones too, highlighting low to moderate flash flood risks in:

• The sub-Himalayan East Indian foothills (West Bengal and Sikkim): Expectation of rainfall enhanced by monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal.

• Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam: Heavy showers likely from moisture-laden sea winds, possibly from a monsoon trough or low-pressure system.

• East and North Telangana: Convective storms and monsoon activity could cause waterlogging.

• Maharashtra’s Marathwada: Bursts of rain from passing monsoon systems may flood low-lying towns, despite the region’s usual dryness.

The weather office has cautioned that rough seas, strong winds or heavy rainfall may make conditions dangerous in both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

As is typical in such circumstances, fisherfolk are being advised to stay ashore and keep their their boats and nets secured; coastal authorities have been urged to prepare for emergencies. These warnings may also indicate possible disruptions to shipping and port activities.

Heavy rain lashes Delhi-NCR, waterlogging hits traffic in several areas