Mumbai, Thane, Palghar Brace for Heavy Rain

Mumbai and its neighbouring districts, including Thane and Palghar, are set to experience significant rainfall today, as per the latest alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Following a weekend of substantial precipitation, with Thane recording a remarkable 144 mm of rain, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for the region, signalling the potential for heavy rain at isolated locations.

Over the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, IMD’s observatories at Santacruz and Colaba recorded 96.8 mm and 57 mm of rainfall, respectively. This marked a continuation of the heavy rain pattern that has characterised recent weather. Despite an orange alert for Mumbai on Sunday, which indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall at certain locations, the actual rainfall recorded by the Santacruz and Colaba stations was relatively modest at 4.2 mm and 9.6 mm, respectively, by 2:30 p.m.

The IMD’s three-day forecast from Tuesday to Thursday suggests moderate rainfall is expected, indicating a less intense weather pattern compared to the recent downpours. In spite of the increased rainfall, night temperatures across Mumbai have remained slightly below the seasonal average. On Sunday, Santacruz recorded a minimum temperature of 25.2°C, which was marginally 0.3°C below normal, while Colaba recorded 25°C, 0.2°C below the average.

As of Sunday morning, the Santacruz observatory has recorded a cumulative rainfall of 2,174.6 mm, while Colaba has seen 1,993.8 mm. This falls short of the average rainfall requirement of 2,318 mm for the four monsoon months, as per IMD data. The continuous heavy rains and subsequent alerts highlight the need for preparedness among residents and authorities. With the forecasted rain and existing water levels, managing flood risks and ensuring infrastructure resilience will be crucial for the region.