How to Check Weather & Cyclone Alerts Correctly in India (2025 Guide)
TruthWave India — Because Safety Should Not Depend on Luck.
Every monsoon season, millions of Indians refresh their phones, hoping for reliable weather alerts. But between viral fake warnings, sensational YouTube predictions, and confusing government advisories, the average citizen is left uncertain about real risks. Cyclones in Odisha, floods in Assam, heatwaves in Delhi, and cloudbursts in Himalayan regions prove one thing: weather is no longer background information — it is survival.
This guide explains how to get accurate, verified, real-time weather and cyclone alerts, without falling for misinformation.
1. Use the Official IMD Portal — The Only Source That Matters
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the national authority for weather and cyclone alerts.
✔ Website
👉 mausam.imd.gov.in
✔ What IMD provides:
- Heatwave alerts
- Rainfall warnings (Yellow/Orange/Red)
- Cyclone trajectory
- Wind speed + landfall prediction
- Flood risk zones
- Thunderstorm & lightning alerts
IMD may not be stylish, but it is the only verified source.
2. Download IMD’s Official Apps (Accurate & Light)
✔ Mausam App
For daily weather, wind, humidity, visibility.
✔ Damini App
For lightning alerts within a 20–40 km radius.
✔ Meghdoot App
For rainfall and temperature advisories for farmers.
These apps are free, government-backed, and low-data — perfect for rural and semi-urban users.
3. How to Track Cyclones in Real Time
India faces at least 2–4 major cyclones every year due to warming seas.
To track cyclones safely:
✔ Step 1 — Open IMD’s Cyclone Page
👉 https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/
✔ Step 2 — Check:
- Current position
- Forecast track
- Wind speed
- Landfall zone
- Warning level (Yellow/Orange/Red)
✔ Step 3 — Avoid social media cyclone maps
They often exaggerate impact and timing.
TruthWave note:
Cyclone predictions must be scientific, not sensational.
4. Use Google’s SOS Alerts (Fastest for Mobile Users)
Google activates SOS Alerts during major cyclones, floods, earthquakes.
Search:
“Cyclone India alert”
or
“[Your state] weather today”
You’ll see:
- Official IMD warnings
- Emergency resources
- Evacuation helplines
- Live radar
- Safety guidelines
This feature is extremely useful in low-data situations.
5. Check Live Radar for Real-Time Rainfall
Use free, accurate radar tools:
✔ IMD Radar
Shows real-time cloud movement.
✔ Windy.com
Visual cyclone path & wind behaviour.
✔ RainViewer
Live rainfall radar for your exact location.
Radar never lies. Social media often does.
6. Understand Warning Colours — They Save Lives
IMD uses a 3-colour code:
🟡 Yellow — Be Aware
Rain, winds likely. Not dangerous yet.
🟠 Orange — Be Prepared
Possibility of flooding, strong winds, damage risk.
🔴 Red — Take Action Immediately
Severe cyclone, flood, extreme weather.
Evacuate if asked. Stay indoors.
These colours are scientifically assigned — not created for shock value.
7. TruthWave Lens — Why Indians Still Fall for Fake Alerts
Despite having IMD, millions trust fake WhatsApp forwards. Why?
- IMD websites are not user-friendly
- Technical language confuses the public
- Social media prioritizes drama over accuracy
- Regional-language updates are limited
- Poor internet access in rural areas
- No national weather awareness campaign
A fisherman from Odisha told TruthWave:
“We heard a cyclone was coming on WhatsApp. But IMD said nothing. We didn’t know whom to trust.”
The system’s communication gaps endanger ordinary people.
8. How to Avoid Fake Weather & Cyclone Warnings
Fake alerts are common during monsoon and cyclone seasons.
Avoid updates that:
- Have no source link
- Claim “IMD warning leaked!”
- Show dramatic red zones without context
- Come only as text message without data
- Ask you to “forward to everyone”
Rule:
If a message tells you to share it, it is almost always fake.
9. Safety Checklist During Severe Alerts
✔ Charge your phone & power bank
✔ Save important helpline numbers
✔ Keep drinking water ready
✔ Stay away from windows during cyclones
✔ Avoid stepping out during lightning
✔ Farmers: avoid open fields during thunderstorm alerts
✔ Do not go near rivers during red rainfall warning
Preparedness turns alerts into survival tools.
Conclusion — Weather Warnings Are Public Rights, Not Privileges
In a climate-changing India, accurate weather information is as crucial as healthcare or education. But the system’s failure to communicate clearly forces citizens to cross-check multiple sources, interpret complex maps, and fight misinformation alone.
TruthWave demands a weather-alert system that is fast, simple, multilingual, and universal — because safety must never depend on English, bandwidth, or algorithms.
Until then, this guide is your shield.
Stay informed. Stay safe. Stay independent.
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