As per the latest All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin (issued 29 April 2026, Mid-Day), travelers planning holidays to West Bengal, Sikkim, Darjeeling hills and the Northeastern states may need to monitor weather conditions closely after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a five-day alert warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across eastern and northeastern India. The wider bulletin also points to changing weather across much of the country, including rain in the northwestern Himalayas, thunderstorms in parts of central India, heat wave conditions in Rajasthan and Vidarbha, and heavy showers in southern states.According to the forecast, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to see active rainfall from April 29 to May 3, while Gangetic West Bengal may continue receiving rain till May 5. The entire Northeast is expected to witness fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over the next five days. So if you have any travel plans to the aforementioned areas, you might want to check weather forecasts regularly, along with flight and train updates.
IMD on
Darjeeling, Dooars and Sikkim travelers advised caution
Tourist hotspots such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik, Gangtok, Pelling, Lava, Lolegaon and the Dooars belt may experience weather-related disruptions during the alert period. IMD has warned of isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on April 29, with further heavy to very heavy rainfall possible in the coming days.Such conditions can trigger landslides, slippery roads, poor visibility and delays on hill routes, especially for self-drive tourists and those relying on shared cabs.
West Bengal and Sikkim weather update
Northeast tourism circuits may face rain delays
The Northeast, increasingly popular for summer travel, is also expected to see intense weather activity. Assam and Meghalaya may receive isolated extremely heavy rainfall on April 29, while Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura may continue seeing heavy to very heavy spells during the April 29–May 5 period.This may affect travel plans to Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Kaziranga, Tawang, Ziro, Kohima, Aizawl and Agartala, especially road journeys through hilly terrain.
North India to see rain, thunderstorms and mountain snowfall
Travelers heading to Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand should also expect changing conditions. IMD has forecast scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall or snowfall, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds on April 29 and again from May 3 to May 5.Popular destinations such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Nainital, Gulmarg and Srinagar may witness cool weather, intermittent rain and possible travel slowdowns on mountain roads.Meanwhile, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan may see isolated to scattered rain and thunderstorms between April 29–30 and May 2–5. Duststorm conditions are also likely over parts of Uttar Pradesh and West Rajasthan on select days.
Heat wave warning for Rajasthan and Vidarbha
Even as storms impact many states, heat is expected to intensify in some regions. IMD has warned of heat wave conditions in Vidarbha on April 29 and West Rajasthan from May 1 to May 3.Travelers visiting desert circuits such as Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer or Jodhpur, as well as interior Maharashtra regions, should plan sightseeing in early morning or evening hours, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged afternoon exposure.
South India to receive showers, some heavy spells
Southern India is also expected to remain unsettled. IMD has forecast isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorms over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Puducherry during the April 29–May 3 period.Heavy rainfall is likely over Kerala & Mahe till May 2, South Interior Karnataka on April 29–30, and parts of Tamil Nadu between April 30 and May 2.This may affect travelers planning trips to Munnar, Wayanad, Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Mysuru and Bengaluru road circuits, where wet roads and localized delays are possible.
Central and East India also under watch
Parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha may see isolated light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds on select days, while Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha are likely to receive scattered rainfall activity.Odisha and parts of the east coast may also see hot and humid weather despite rain activity.
What travelers should do now
With weather risks spread across multiple regions, tourists are advised to:
- Check road, rail and flight status regularly
- Keep buffer time for transfers
- Avoid unnecessary night driving in hills
- Carry rain protection and medicines
- Follow local administration advisories
- Stay updated with official IMD bulletins
The latest IMD bulletin suggests that while rain may bring relief from summer heat in several states, it may also disrupt travel in some of India’s most popular destinations. For travelers, flexibility and real-time planning could be key over the coming days.
