Mumbai: Monsoon arrives two days early, heavy to very heavy rainfall today

Waterlogging on the Sion-Panvel Highway at Chunabhatti on Wednesday. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar

Just as three years ago, the monsoon arrived in Mumbai on June 9. With it, came the routine scenario of flooded roads, localities and local trains temporarily coming to a halt. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday officially declared the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon - two days before its due date of June 11 - over Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, and along with it, issued a Red Alert for the city of Mumbai, followed by an Orange Alert for the next four days.

A young woman wades through a waterlogged road at Sion

Speaking to mid-day, an IMD official said, "As per our forecast, the city will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Thursday even though an Orange Alert has been issued for the next four days. However, from Friday onwards, there will be extremely heavy rainfall." The official further explained, "The monsoon has arrived early due to the presence of favourable conditions that are prevailing, like Southwesterly winds and upper air atmosphere, combined with rainfall."

IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded 220.6 mm rainfall on Wednesday while its Colaba observatory recorded 45.6 mm rainfall (between 8.30 AM and 5.30 PM on Wednesday). The weather department also suggested that traffic be regulated effectively in light of a Red Alert being issued and that people in affected areas exercise caution, since they may have their movements restricted.

IMD has been speculating that the arrival of monsoon would be early, but officially declared its onset on Wednesday around 11 AM. "Mumbai can expect heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days almost until June 14. Some places in the city will also receive extremely heavy rainfall. As per our extended rain forecast, Maharashtra will have a good monsoon for the next four months. However, some parts like Marathwada and south Madhya Maharashtra will have comparatively less rainfall in the month of June," said an official.

‘Exercise caution'

When asked if this kind of heavy rainfall was routine with the arrival of the Southwest monsoon, the official said, "It is quite common. With the arrival of the monsoon, many times we also receive heavy rainfall in Mumbai as well as along the entire Konkan coast." In terms of precautions, IMD suggested that people should try and not step out when extremely heavy rainfall occurs, shouldn't seek shelter under trees, and refrain from using any electronic equipment if there is thunder. "Waterlogging will be there in many parts of Mumbai," the official added. The IMD also issued a slew of warnings for the north and south coastline of Maharashtra as well for other coasts and open seas.