Pune, July 04, 2026: The monsoon was delayed. June saw almost no rain and there was widespread concern that El Nino would destroy this year’s monsoon. The weather forecast was grim.

However starting July 01, the state has been blessed with heavy, July-style rain, bringing cheers back onto the faces of citizens and the weathermen alike. But what has caused this heavy rain despite El Nino?

There are several weather systems working together to bring rains in Maharashtra.

1. A narrow zone of low pressure area (also called a trough) has formed in the Arabian sea, stretching from Karnataka to Gujarat that is encouraging the formation of rain-bearing clouds over the west coast of the country.

2. A cyclone has formed in the northern Bay of Bengal, reaching high into the atmosphere. This will result in the formation of a low-pressure zone in the northwestern Bay of Bengal. Low pressure zones in Bay of Bengal suck in air from the peninsular India, forcing moisture laden winds from Arabian sea to take its place, thus bringing rain in the western regions of the country.

3. Another trough (narrow zone of low pressure area), is stretching from the Bay of Bengal towards West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, northern Maharashtra, and Gujarat to the northeastern Arabian Sea. This acts like a corridor that carries moisture and supports the formation of rain clouds, increasing the chances of rainfall across these regions.

**Weather Systems Bringing Rain in Maharashtra: Image IMD**

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) says that the combined affect of these weather systems is bringing widespread rain across the western coast of the country along with the adjoining ghats.

Heavy Rains Between 1-7 July in Maharashtra

According to IMD, these weather systems will bring heavy to very heavy rain at many places with extremely heavy rain at some isolated places in Konkan and adjoining ghats areas of Madhya Maharashtra between 1-7 July 2026. Thunderstorms accompanied with moderate to heavy rainfall are very likely at isolated places over parts of Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada during the above period. Thunderstorms accompanied with heavy to very heavy rainfall are very likely at isolated places over Vidharbha during 1-4 July 2026.

IMD Advisory for Maharashtra During July 01-07

IMD advises caution and urges citizens to check weather forecasts in their area before venturing out. Here are the advisories issued by IMD during the above period:

Check for traffic congestion on your route before leaving for your destination. Follow any traffic advisories that are issued in this regard.
● Avoid staying in vulnerable structures.
● People residing in vulnerable areas prone to landslides are to remain alert.
● Settlements/People residing near major rivers and their tributaries; rivulets/streams and lowlying areas and flood plains are to remain alert.
● Avoid visiting fragile hilly terrain and steep slopes.
● Avoid going to areas that face the water logging problems often. Avoid flooded areas if you are in a vehicle.
● Avoid working in open areas and fields while thunderstorms are taking place. Avoid taking shelter under tall trees and structures when a thunderstorm is occurring.
● Dam/barrage management/ Hydroelectric power plants management/control authorities are advised to take necessary precautionary measures.
● State government authorities are advised to take all necessary precautionary measures for smooth movement of people.