Mumbai braced for Heavy Rains as Monsoon Hits Maharashtra

Monsoon Arrives in Maharashtra

The southwest monsoon has finally arrived in Maharashtra, bringing with it the promise of relief from the scorching summer heat. However, the IMD has issued weather alerts for heavy rainfall across the state, particularly in coastal regions.

Yellow Alert for Mumbai

Mumbai and its neighbouring districts are currently under a yellow alert, meaning moderate to heavy rainfall is expected until Tuesday. The IMD recorded 0.2 mm of rain at its Santacruze and Colaba observatories in the last 24 hours. While this might seem light, this is just the beginning, with the real intensity expected to ramp up over the weekend.

Orange Alert for Coastal Districts

Coastal districts like Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg face a more serious threat, with an orange alert warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations starting Saturday. The IMD attributed this to a well-marked low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea, expected to intensify into a depression.

Heavy Rains to Continue

The IMD has also issued warnings for other regions, including Thane, Palghar, Pune, Kolhapur, and Satara, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted. Nashik’s ghat areas will experience lighter rainfall.

This monsoon season comes after a particularly surplus of rain in May, with Mumbai already exceeding its long-period average by over 700% for the month.

Preparations Underway

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is taking no chances, deploying 10 vehicle-mounted dewatering pumps to quickly remove water from congested areas that are prone to flooding.

Fishing Activities Suspended

Fishing activities have been suspended along the coast as the IMD warns of rough sea conditions and squally winds.

Key Takeaways

The monsoon’s arrival marks a change in weather patterns, bringing much-needed relief from the heat but also the possibility of heavy rainfall and flooding. It’s important for residents to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe.