Monsoon to gatecrash Independence Day celebrations: Rain to hit these states

India's Independence Day celebrations on August 15 are likely to unfold under unsettled weather conditions in several parts of the country.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rain and isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall across a number of states.For Delhi-NCR, where the national Independence Day ceremony will be held at the Red Fort, the weather is expected to remain wet, too.The IMD has forecast fairly widespread rainfall over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on August 15, with isolated heavy rain also likely. Police officers are seen during a rehearsal for Independence Day in a waterlogged stadium. (Photo: PTI) WIDESPREAD MONSOON RAIN INCOMINGThe rain will not be limited to the national capital.Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are also likely to see rainfall on Independence Day. The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over all these regions, while Uttarakhand could see isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rain. People move along a road amid monsoon rain in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. (Photo: PTI) East and West Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are also expected to receive heavy rain, with very heavy rainfall possible at isolated places in East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.For people stepping out for Independence Day events, the forecast therefore points to a largely cloudy and rainy weather pattern rather than a dry August morning in many parts of northern and central India. A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. (Photo: IMD) ODISHA, JHARKHAND, NORTHEAST TO FACE HEAVY RAINRain will also remain active across eastern and northeastern India.The IMD expects fairly widespread rainfall over Odisha, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim around this period.On August 15, isolated heavy rain is likely over Odisha and Jharkhand, while heavy rain is also forecast over Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and several northeastern states.Parts of western India will remain wet too, with Gujarat expected to receive fairly widespread rain and isolated heavy rainfall.Konkan and Goa are also likely to see widespread rain during this period.WHY IS AUGUST SEEING FREQUENT RAIN?The active spell is being supported by a depression over Jharkhand and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal.On August 14, the system was moving west-northwestwards and was expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area while moving across Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh.The monsoon trough was also passing through the depression, helping maintain a broad zone of rainfall across central and northern India. People take part in a rally on the eve of Independence Day, in Bihar. (Photo: PTI) The IMD's latest weather forecast suggests the wet spell will continue beyond Independence Day, with fairly widespread rainfall still expected across several parts of the country over the following days.- EndsPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 19:30 IST