Nambul embankment breaches, flowing above warning level
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2026: With monsoon intensifying, the Indian Meteorological Depart- ment (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several North East States and predicted heavy rainfall in the NE and Manipur from July 21 to 26 .

Even as the IMD has forecasted rain in the next couple of days, Nambul River is already flowing above the warning level, said Water Resources Department.

The IMD has forcast heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for several of the NE States including Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur on July 21 .

It has also predicted rainfall in parts of Manipur from July 22 to July 24 .

Nambul embankment breaches, flowing above warning level

While continuous rainfall in the last couple of days has caused landslides in Tamenglong and Noney districts, the State including other NE States may continue to face monsoon rainfall till July 26, says IMD data.

Meanwhile, a 10-foot Nambul River embankment at Kongkham area has been breached, flooding nearby fields and farms.

Swollen by continuous rainfall since the last couple of days, Nambul River is flowing above the Warning level, said the State Water Resources Department.

The incessant rainfall has also caused waterlogging at several low lying areas in Imphal including several places along Tiddim Road.

Business Today reports : The India Meteorological Department today (July 20) issued district-wise red and orange warnings for several States, cautioning that thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and heavy rainfall could lash many regions over the next two to three hours as the southwest monsoon entered an active phase across much of the country.

The short-term warning comes against the backdrop of an expected revival in monsoon activity.

According to the IMD's latest weather bulletin, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over several parts of northwest, central, east and North East India between July 20 and July 26, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall expected over some regions during the period.

Orange alert across 13 States

The IMD has also issued orange warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds of 40-60 kmph and moderate rainfall of 5-15 mm per hour across parts of: Meghalaya, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Active monsoon to persist till July 26

The IMD said the southwest monsoon is expected to remain active over large parts of the country over the coming week.

Its latest forecast indicates:
July 20-22: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and adjoining parts of northwest India.

July 20-26: Widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected across east, central and North East India.

July 20-23: Heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan and Goa, parts of Maharashtra and the adjoining west coast.

Throughout the week: Flash floods, landslides and waterlogging remain possible in vulnerable areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

While rainfall activity is expected to strengthen across northern and eastern India, the IMD said monsoon conditions are likely to remain comparatively subdued over parts of west-central and peninsular India.

Rainfall deficit remains significant The fresh spell of rain follows a relatively weak phase of the southwest monsoon earlier this month.

According to the IMD's extended-range forecast, India received rainfall that was 51% below the Long Period Average (LPA) during the week of July 9-15.Cumulatively, the country recorded a rainfall deficit of 23% between June 1 and July 15, underscoring the need for sustained rainfall during the second half of the season.

The rainfall shortfall has been particularly evident across parts of northwest India, including Punjab and Haryana.

The IMD expects the ongoing spell of rain to help narrow the deficit over the coming days.

Why the weather is turning intense

The current weather pattern is being driven by an active southwest monsoon, supported by favourable synoptic conditions that are enhancing moisture transport into northern, eastern and northeastern India.

These conditions are expected to trigger widespread showers, isolated heavy downpours, thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds across several states over the next week.

The IMD has urged residents in affected districts to remain vigilant and follow safety precautions during thunderstorms and heavy rain.