Independence Day 2025: Planning for a staycation from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore? Check the weather forecast

Economic Times

3 hours ago

As India gears up to celebrate its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, many citizens are planning short getaways and staycations to make the long weekend memorable. Whether you are looking to escape the city heat, enjoy monsoon-soaked hills, or explore cultural and heritage destinations, there are plenty of options across the country. From the scenic mountains of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to the lush hill stations near Bangalore and Mumbai, this Independence Day weekend offers the perfect opportunity to combine patriotism with a refreshing break amid nature, adventure, and local culture.
Delhi weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted mostly cloudy conditions between August 13 and August 16, with occasional very light to light rain or thundershowers in some areas. According to the IMD's forecast, Delhi will likely see cloudy skies on August 15, with no heavy rain alerts for Friday. Light morning showers are possible, while daytime temperatures are expected to hover between 31°C and 33°C, and nighttime temperatures between 22°C and 24°C. This suggests that Independence Day celebrations in the capital may take place under grey, overcast skies.
From Delhi
Just 6–7 hours from Delhi, Nainital offers cool weather, boating on Naini Lake, and lush hills — perfect for a scenic escape from the August heat. If you want something more spiritual and adventurous, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand offers yoga retreats, river rafting on the Ganga, and evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Uttarakhand weather: The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has issued advisories to district magistrates following an IMD forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state in the coming week. From August 13 to 14, a red alert will be in place for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Bageshwar, warning of widespread heavy to very heavy rain and isolated incidents of extremely heavy rainfall. The remaining districts will be under an orange alert during this period. On August 15, these red-alert districts will shift to an orange alert, while yellow alerts will be issued for other parts of the state. Neemrana, just 2 hours from Delhi, is home to the stunning Neemrana Fort Palace, where you can stay in heritage suites and enjoy zip-lining. For a longer drive, Jaipur offers vibrant bazaars, Amer Fort, and royal palaces — an ideal culture-rich getaway.
Rajasthan Weather: The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur has announced a yellow alert for districts in the Bharatpur, Kota, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Ajmer divisions, effective from August 14 to 16.
If you want a mountain break, Kasauli (about 6 hours away) has colonial charm and peaceful walking trails. Shimla offers the Mall Road, toy train rides, and panoramic Himalayan views — great for families.
Himachal Pradesh weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday reported that multiple districts in Himachal Pradesh are expected to experience light to heavy rainfall until August 15. Continuous showers have triggered landslides in several major areas, causing road blockages. The IMD also noted that maximum temperatures are likely to drop by two to four degrees Celsius in the coming days. Residents and tourists have been urged to adhere to safety guidelines and minimise travel to prevent any inconvenience.
Mumbai weather: On Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heavy rainfall warning for the Konkan and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra from August 15 to 18, citing a low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal that is expected to enhance monsoon activity in western India. Pune is forecast to experience light to moderate showers starting August 15.
From Mumbai
Lonavala and Khandala (2 hours away) are monsoon favourites, with mist-covered hills and waterfalls. Matheran, a no-vehicle hill station, offers toy train rides and panoramic viewpoints. Igatpuri is quieter, with trekking routes and luxury retreats.If you're up for a short flight or overnight train, Goa in August is lush and less crowded. You can enjoy monsoon treks, heritage walks in Panjim, and peaceful beaches without peak-season rush.Gujarat's only hill station, Saputara, is about 5 hours from Mumbai and offers boating, nature trails, and viewpoints perfect for a rainy-day escape.
Gujarat Weather: Following a prolonged dry spell, Gujarat is set to see a revival of monsoon activity this festive weekend, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rainfall in central and southern parts of the state, as well as in select districts of Saurashtra.
Bangalore weather: The weather forecast indicates a high of 26°C. The day will be considerably cloudy, with a chance of thunderstorms in some areas during the afternoon. There is a 55% chance of precipitation and a 33% likelihood of thunderstorms, with around 1 mm of rainfall expected over approximately one hour. Cloud cover will remain significant throughout the day.
From Bangalore
Coorg (5 hours) is perfect for coffee estate stays and misty weather. Kabini offers luxury lodges and wildlife safaris, while Chikmagalur is ideal for trekking and plantation homestays.
Ooty, in the Nilgiris, offers colonial charm, lakes, and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Yercaud is a smaller, quieter hill station with spice plantations and valley views.
Tamil Nadu weather: Most areas of Tamil Nadu are unlikely to receive widespread rainfall, though districts such as Coimbatore and Nilgiris could see isolated spells of heavy rain. Just over 6 hours from Bangalore, Wayanad is a monsoon paradise with waterfalls, wildlife, and treehouse stays.
Kerala Weather: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain with isolated thundershowers in parts of Kerala from today through Wednesday. Due to the expected increase in rainfall, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for four districts tomorrow: Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Kasaragod. There is also a chance of isolated heavy showers in these areas.