Mumbai
oi-Prakash KL
Mumbai woke up to a wet Tuesday morning as rain-bearing clouds swept across the city, signalling the return of the monsoon’s full force. Several parts of the financial capital witnessed steady early-morning showers, bringing respite from humid conditions while also raising concerns over waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
Areas including Matunga’s Senapati Bapat Road, Dadar Railway Station, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and Marine Drive received significant rainfall during the early hours. Commuters encountered slower traffic movement in several pockets as rain lashed the city.
Mumbai experienced monsoon rains with thunderstorms, causing traffic disruptions and waterlogging, as the IMD forecasts continued unsettled weather across Maharashtra including heavy showers and gusty winds until June 26. The BMC issued an Orange Alert, and fishermen were warned about squally conditions.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, heavy rainfall and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph at isolated locations. The weather system is expected to keep conditions unsettled across Mumbai and neighbouring regions over the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier indicated that the southwest monsoon was advancing steadily across Maharashtra and was likely to cover additional parts of the state, including Mumbai, within 48 hours. According to the weather agency, the monsoon has already progressed into more areas of the central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra and Telangana, while covering the remaining parts of Karnataka. It has also expanded into parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar.
Meteorologists said atmospheric conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to strengthen further and spread across the remaining parts of Maharashtra and adjoining states. The advancement of the seasonal rains, coupled with strengthening westerly winds, is expected to trigger widespread rainfall activity across the state.
For the Konkan region, the IMD has predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places between June 22 and June 26. Madhya Maharashtra is likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds and moderate to heavy rain during the same period.
In the Marathwada region, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, along with light to moderate rainfall, are expected until June 24.
Authorities have also issued a warning for fishermen operating along the South Maharashtra-Goa coast. The IMD has advised them not to venture into the sea between June 22 and June 26 due to squally weather conditions, with wind speeds likely to reach 40-50 kmph and gusts touching 60 kmph.
The weather department cautioned that intense rainfall could lead to localised flooding in low-lying areas, water accumulation on roads, flash floods and disruptions to rail, road, air and ferry services. Rough sea conditions and potential damage to standing crops and horticulture have also been flagged as concerns.
On Monday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), citing IMD forecasts, issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, moderate to intense rainfall spells and gusty winds. Parts of the city, including Bandra East, had already witnessed pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms, resulting in waterlogging at several locations and traffic snarls, offering a glimpse of the weather challenges that may accompany the monsoon’s advance in the days ahead.
