The southwest monsoon arrived in Mumbai on June 9, two days ahead of the usual schedule due to favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai can expect thunderstorms accompanied by heavy to very heavy rainfall. The probability of this weather occurring is between 51 and 75 percent. Neighbouring areas such as Raigad and Ratnagiri are also likely to experience significant rainfall.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Sindhudurg and its neighbouring district Kolhapur, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in most areas. This alert indicates a high level of preparedness is required to handle potential flooding and other rain-related issues.
Heavy rains caused a part of the road in Palghar district to cave in, affecting traffic movement on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway for more than four hours. Repair works, including fixing a pipeline, were in progress when the incident occurred, leading to a traffic standstill and disruption on both sides of the road.
The recent heavy rains in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas have brought down temperatures, providing relief to residents from the hot and humid weather. In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, Mumbai received more than 60 mm of rainfall.
The Colaba observatory, located in south Mumbai, recorded 67 mm of rainfall, while the Santacruz observatory near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recorded 64 mm of rainfall during the same period. This data indicates substantial rain in the city, leading to cooler temperatures.
The Colaba observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius, which is 1.1 degrees higher than normal, and a minimum temperature of 24.3 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees lower than normal. The Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees above normal, and a minimum temperature of 25.5 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees below normal.
Several agriculturally significant districts in Maharashtra have received substantial rainfall. For instance, Satara recorded 91 mm, Nashik 64 mm, Ahmednagar 57 mm, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 51 mm, and Jalgaon 41 mm of rain in the past day. This rainfall is crucial for the agricultural activities in these regions.
Thane and Palghar districts experienced heavy overnight rains, leading to waterlogging in some areas and incidents of tree branches falling. Thane city received 37.06 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, with the heaviest downpour of 16.76 mm recorded between 12.30 am and 1.30 am.
Given the heavy rainfall and potential for disruptions, residents in Mumbai and surrounding areas are advised to take necessary precautions. The IMD's forecast and alerts serve as a warning to prepare for possible flooding and ensure safety during heavy rains and thunderstorms.
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