Maharashtra rains: Heavy rains likely in parts of the state, IMD issues alert

light to heavy rains predicted in Maharashtra. Pic/Sameer Abdedi

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its latest Maharashtra rains update, has predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in the districts of Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts in Maharashtra during the next 3 to 4 hours.

Isolated places in the districts of Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nasik, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurabar and Dharshivare are likely to be hit by moderate spells of rain during the next 3 to 4 hours, according to the IMD.

The weather department, in its latest weather update, has predicted light spells of rain at isolated places in the districts of Ahmednagar, Dharashiv, Hingoli and Nanded and during the next 3-4 hours. Thunder or lightning is predicted to be accompanied by gusty winds in some areas.

Meanwhile, flights to and from Mumbai faced disruptions on Friday morning. Various airlines issued statements saying that the delay was due to weather conditions and air traffic congestion at Mumbai airport. Meanwhile, senior pilots and experts suggest that delays could have been reduced by using various procedures.

Earlier, on Friday morning, heavy rain caused low visibility and gusty winds. Sources from Mumbai Air Traffic Control (ATC) told mid-day, "The weather was not as favorable. There were crosswinds [winds perpendicular to the runway and landing and departing aircraft]. Crosswinds were six knots, gusting to 17 knots."

Though Mumbai ATC did not disclose the exact number of flights delayed, ATC sources said delays were not too high as the runway was operational, unlike on Monday morning when operations had to be paused due to the weather.

Sources claimed Air India and IndiGo faced more disruptions compared to other airlines operating from Mumbai as they had more morning flights. Queries sent to IndiGo and Air India went unanswered until press time.

Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a senior pilot, told mid-day, "Newer-generation pilots are not comfortable landing in such weather conditions. Generally, in such conditions, we take the instrument landing system (ILS) approach where the autopilot lands the aircraft, which is a safer approach as the aircraft is guided by beams of radio frequencies to the runway. This reduces the possibility of human error in such weather conditions."

A senior flight instructor said, "Newer pilots lack physical experience in flying and landing in such conditions, but this gets developed over time. For some pilots, this may even be their first monsoon."