Why IMD calls sudden heavy showers a red flag for the North

In recent years, North India has been facing a troubling pattern —short but very heavy bursts of rain. These spells are triggering flash floods, swelling rivers and dams, and causing destruction across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says such events, which were rare earlier, are now happening more often. They call these “early warning signs” and say the region must prepare urgently.