New Delhi (Udaipur Kiran), July 27: A massive rain belt stretching nearly 7,000 to 10,000 kilometres, from northern India towards South Korea, has become visible in recent satellite images, indicating one of the most active phases of the 2026 southwest monsoon.
According to weather experts, the cloud band currently covers nearly 88% to 92% of India’s geographical area. The active monsoon conditions are expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Jharkhand.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a strong low-pressure area has developed over the Bay of Bengal during the past four days. The system has pulled the monsoon trough back towards its normal position, drawing moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and leading to the formation of a vast cloud band.
The IMD has said the low-pressure area is likely to strengthen further over the next 12 hours. It has forecast very heavy rainfall over Odisha and West Bengal on July 26-27, while intense rainfall is also expected in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Wind speeds of up to 55 kmph are likely along the Odisha and West Bengal coasts.
Meteorologists said the monsoon had weakened earlier this month after the monsoon trough shifted towards the Himalayan foothills, reducing rainfall over the plains. They said the return of the trough to its normal position has revived widespread monsoon activity.
A rain belt refers to a long corridor of dense clouds and heavy rainfall extending across hundreds or even thousands of kilometres due to atmospheric circulation, pressure systems and the monsoon convergence zone.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
