Wind phenomenon brings unseasonal rain to Mumbai

Andheri witnessed some rain on Thursday, while other parts of the city saw strong winds. Pic/Ashish Rane

Mumbai as well as other parts of the state experienced light to moderate rainfall accompanied by heavy cloud cover and sharp winds on Thursday evening due to a "wind discontinuity" phenomenon that has been passing through the state since February 16.

IMD says heavy cloud cover had developed on Thursday over central Maharashtra and the ghat areas, including parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, and was moving westwards. Rainfall was reported in Pune, Thane, Nashik and Palghar as well. The western suburbs of Mumbai witnessed light rain around 8.45 pm.

Speaking to mid-day, an IMD official said, "A ‘wind discontinuity' phenomenon has been passing through Maharashtra since February 16. This brought in a lot of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, which in turn led to thunderstorm and rain activity over Vidarbha on February 16 and 17. The weather condition then moved westwards towards central Maharashtra, and is still moving westwards, which explains the rain happening right now in the ghat areas."

He added, "The rainfall is light to moderate but is associated with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds. The weather condition will slowly move over Konkan, Thane and ghat areas. The cloudy weather pattern in the city will decline fast and the condition will be normal soon." The official further stated that the temperatures in Mumbai have been lower this week due to rain activity in other parts of the state.

"The maximum temperature has come down in most parts of the state, including Mumbai," he concluded.

Feb 16
Day since when the winds have been passing through city