Monsoon tracker LIVE: Helicopter services suspended amid adverse weather conditions in Kedarnath Dham Yatra

The Uttarakhand government, on July 1, initiated emergency protocols and started broadcasting SMS weather warnings to high-risk areas following a three-day “Orange Alert” for heavy rainfall issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman warned that while the annual Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage remains active, footfall is expected to drop sharply if the heavy downpours intensify across the Himalayan region.

Speaking to ANI, DM said, “The IMD has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for three days… Alerts are being sent via SMS to areas where heavy rainfall is expected. The Char Dham Yatra is currently underway, but the number of pilgrims will certainly decrease if the rainfall intensifies…”

– ANI

Pre-monsoon rains and adverse weather conditions have caused widespread destruction across Himachal Pradesh, disrupting critical infrastructure and claiming 128 lives during the March 1 to June 30 period.

According to the latest report released by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) on July 1, 2026, the cumulative financial loss has reached 2,984.27 lakh (nearly 29.84 crore).The latest weather spell has left 44 roads blocked across the State, severely affecting transportation.

Mandi district is the worst affected, accounting for 28 road closures, followed by Shimla with 17 blocked roads, according to the Public Works Department (PWD).Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Cell of the Revenue Department reported that 128 people lost their lives in weather-related incidents during the four-month pre-monsoon season.

– ANI

Helicopter services operating for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra have been suspended with the onset of the monsoon season in view of adverse weather conditions and passenger safety concerns, officials said on July 1, 2026.

The decision has been taken in line with guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), authorities added.

District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, Vishal Mishra, said that all helicopter operations for the pilgrimage have been halted until further notice.”Helicopters operated by Thambi Aviation, Himalayan Heli, Rajas Aero, United Helicharters, Pilgrimage Aviation, Chipsan Aviation, Trans Bharat Aviation and other operators have returned to their respective bases following the suspension. During the monsoon period, pilgrims will have to rely on alternative modes of transport such as ponies, mules and palanquins. Services will resume only after weather conditions improve and necessary clearances are granted,” he said.

– ANI

The Southwest Monsoon has officially covered the entire State of Himachal Pradesh on July 1, 2026, marking its complete advance across the hill State six days later than the normal onset date of June 25.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon advanced into the remaining parts of Himachal Pradesh on July 1, bringing the entire State under its influence. The latest phase of the monsoon covered the remaining areas of Shimla district, including Shimla city, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, and Kangra districts. It also extended across the entire districts of Solan, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Chamba.

The IMD had earlier indicated that conditions were favourable for the further advance of the Southwest Monsoon into the remaining parts of Himachal Pradesh over the next two to three days. The complete coverage of the State is expected to usher in widespread rainfall activity during the coming week. The weather office has also forecast widespread rainfall across Himachal Pradesh, with heavy to very heavy rain likely at isolated places over the next several days, while a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect northwest India from July 2, potentially enhancing rainfall activity across the State.

– ANI

Following the weather department’s alert, the Rudraprayag district administration has been put on high alert. With the onset of the monsoon, the district has been placed under Yellow and Orange alerts for different periods. Heavy rainfall has been continuing across several parts of the district, including Kedarnath.

In view of the prevailing weather conditions, the district administration and the Disaster Management Department are closely monitoring the situation through the control room, keeping a constant watch on the highways, the Kedarnath Yatra route, and other vulnerable areas. To ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents, all concerned departments and officials have been directed to remain on alert.

Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Dehradun issued a heavy rainfall alert for the next four days (till July 4) in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, with the district administration urging residents to remain vigilant.

In view of the forecast, the administration has advised people to avoid visiting rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas as a precautionary measure.

Officials have appealed to residents to exercise caution and follow advisories issued by the authorities to ensure their safety during the period of expected heavy rainfall.

The administration said it is closely monitoring the situation and urged the public to stay updated through official weather bulletins and alerts.

– ANI

Water levels in several rivers and their tributaries rose in Himachal Pradesh on July 1, 2026. The Swan river in Una district was flowing in full spate, prompting authorities to advise people against venturing close to it.

According to the State Emergency Response Operation Centre, 28 roads were closed in Mandi, 12 in Kullu, and two each in Lahaul and Spiti and Una districts. Heavy rain was recorded in several parts of the State since Tuesday evening. Nagrota Suriyan in Kangra district recorded the highest rainfall at 102.5 mm, followed by Ghamroor (95.2 mm), Guler (87.2 mm), Palampur (74.4 mm), Saloni (68.2 mm), Jogindarnagar (48 mm), Kahu (44.5 mm), Dehra Gopipur (38.3 mm), Berthin (37.4 mm) and Sujanpur Tira (36 mm), the officials said.

Rain also lashed the popular towns of Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala. Thunderstorms and lightning were reported from Kufri, Palampur, Kangra, Sundernagar, Jubberhatti and Bhuntar.

– PTI

Torrential rain lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh, including the towns of Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala, leading to many roads being closed, river waters rising and electricity being disrupted, officials said on Wednesday (July 1, 2026).

Government and private schools that had closed because of the heat reopened but attendance was thin given the heavy rain.

With the southwest monsoon arriving in the hill State, there was no respite in sight. The local meteorological office issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places from July 2-6, except for July 4.

-PTI

In the monsoon of 1997, the Central Pacific was running one of the fiercest fevers in its recorded history in the form of an El Niño so violent that, by every rule of thumb, India ought to have stared at one of its worst droughts. However, in the greatest of meteorological surprises, June-September monsoon rainfall ended up being surplus, about 2% above normal. The Director-General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, observes that it has “happened only once ever.” The agent of that escape sat not in the Pacific but in India’s backyard sea and is called the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). 

A massive traffic snarl was seen at the Western Express Highway, Santacruz East, due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai.

Amid the Orange Alert issued for July 2 and 3, dense clouds have gathered over Mandi town, indicating changing weather conditions. As of now, Beas River is flowing at its normal level, with no signs of flooding or an unusual rise in water levels till now.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert valid for the next three hours from 10:15 a.m. IST on July 1, 2026, forecasting moderate to intense spells of rain at isolated places across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. Residents have been advised to take necessary precautions as adverse weather conditions are expected during the warning period.

Waterlogging was witnessed in the Wadala area of Mumbai due to heavy rainfall.