From Delhi to Kerala: IMD warns of heavy rain, storms across India's tourism hotspots; what travellers need to know

The southwest monsoon in India is in full swing now. It's swept across parts of the southern peninsula and the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This means a week of widespread rain, major travel problems, and scenic beauty across many top spots. According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin issued on June 4, the monsoon already hit Kerala, Lakshadweep, and bits of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Soon, it'll cover Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of the northeast.IMD forecasts Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, and Lakshadweep will see lots of rain throughout. Some places might even get hit with heavy to very heavy downpours. For Konkan and Goa, constant rain is on the way.For places like Munnar, Wayanad, Coorg, Agumbe, Gokarna, Goa, and the entire Western Ghats area, the monsoon travel season is starting. During the dry months, waterfalls stay small, but now they’re big and dramatic, drawing photographers, nature lovers, and travellers who want cooler temperatures. The weather agency has specifically highlighted the possibility of heavy rainfall across Coastal Karnataka and Kerala throughout much of the forecast period, making flexible travel plans essential for visitors heading to these regions. Meanwhile, the Northeast will go through active weather too. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are expecting plenty of rain. Hefty downpours are particularly likely in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya over several days. This is significant for those planning trips to places like Shillong, Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong, Tawang, Ziro Valley, Dzukou Valley, and the Mizoram forests. The rain turns these spots into some of the nation’s lushest greens, but it can mess up roads and lower visibility, especially in hilly areas.Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will also get soaked throughout the week. This could disrupt travels to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok, Pelling, and other Himalayan hotspots that typically draw crowds escaping the scorching heat of the plains.On top of that, Uttarakhand is looking at a serious downpour on June 5. These dates line up with the peak pilgrimage and tourism time when swarms of tourists hit Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh, and the Char Dham circuit. To add to that, the India Meteorological Department is predicting hailstorms in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and bits of the western Himalayas.Travellers in northern India might run into thunderstorms and strong winds too. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh are expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds, with some areas seeing wind speeds of up to 60 kmph.Interestingly, while certain areas brace for heavy rain, other places still haven’t escaped the sweltering heat. According to the IMD, Bihar expects a heat wave from June 6 to 8, and parts of Uttar Pradesh will be hitting those same hot conditions starting June 7.It’s that phase where the monsoons arrive in some areas, but elsewhere, summer stays fierce. Because of this, travellers really need to check the specific forecasts for their destination instead of going off general ideas about the season.The weather bulletin adds that Odisha will stay hot and humid, even with some scattered rain. Parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and a few northeastern states will see similar conditions too.Marine conditions aren’t getting any easier. Strong winds and squally weather will hit parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep, and certain areas of India’s west coast. This mainly affects fisherfolk but can impact ferry services and other water-based activities in these spots.For the travel industry, this means the start of India's unique monsoon season. More people are now looking at rainy weather as a reason to explore new places. Destinations like the Western Ghats, Northeast, Goa’s countryside, and the Himalayan foothills see an increase in visitors. They come for the mist-covered scenery, seasonal waterfalls, and a quieter trip than what summer offers.