Mumbai weather update: Light to moderate rains expected in city, suburbs today

Representational picture/PTI File

Mumbai and its suburbs are expected to moderate rainfall today on Wednesday. The weather forecast at 0800hrs indicates that both the city and its suburbs will experience wet conditions throughout the day.

In addition to the rainy weather, the city is also expected to witness some significant tidal fluctuations. At 1600hrs today, the high tide is projected to reach 3.47 meters, and residents are urged to be cautious around coastal areas. The following day, on September 7, 2023, at 0518hrs, the high tide will again peak at 3.44 meters.

Conversely, the low tide today at 2206hrs is expected to be 1.32 meters, which may provide some relief from the high water levels. However, on September 7, 2023, at 1132hrs, the tide will rise to 2.48 meters, potentially affecting low-lying areas.

Despite the consistent rainfall throughout the day, the average rainfall data from 0800hrs on September 5, 2023, to 0800hrs on September 6, 2023, indicates relatively low levels of precipitation. The city centre recorded just 0.03mm of rainfall, while the eastern suburbs reported 1.14mm, and the western suburbs saw 0.69mm.

Also read: Mumbai: Lake levels in seven reservoirs that supply water to the city at 90.69 per cent

Meanwhile, after subdued rainfall resulted in India experiencing the driest August since 1901, the Southwest Monsoon is expected to revive over the weekend bringing rain to central and southern parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on August 31.

Addressing a press conference virtually, India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said September was likely to witness normal rainfall in the range of 91-109 per cent of the long-period average of 167.9 mm.

However, Mohapatra said even if the rainfall in September was to remain on the higher side, the June-September seasonal rainfall average is expected to be below normal for the season.

After excess rainfall in July, the south-west monsoon played truant for most of August which witnessed 20 break days from August 6-17, August 21-22 and August 26-31 on account of El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and unfavourable Indian Ocean Dipole conditions.

He said development of El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean was the most important factor behind the deficient rainfall activity in August. However, the Indian Ocean Dipole the difference in sea surface temperature of Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal has started turning positive, which could counter the El Nino impact, Mohapatra said.

He said the Madden Julian Oscillation -- the eastward moving pulse of cloud -- and the rainfall in the tropical region too was turning favourable and plays a role in the revival of monsoon.

With a 36 per cent deficit, India recorded the driest August since 1901. August receives 254.9 mm of rainfall, accounting for around 30 per cent of the precipitation during the monsoon season. The actual rainfall recorded in August was 162.7 mm.

India recorded a rainfall deficit of 25 per cent in August 2005, 24.6 per cent in 1965; 24.4 per cent in 1920; 24.1 per cent in 2009 and 24 per cent deficit in 1913, according to the IMD data.

Mohapatra said above-normal maximum temperatures were likely to prevail over most parts of the country, except over some areas in south peninsular India and some pockets of west-central India, where normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are likely.

He said above-normal minimum temperatures were likely over most parts of the country, except for some areas in extreme north India, where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are likely. (With inputs from PTI)