Brace for more rain as IMD raises Mumbai alert to orange

Youngsters seem prepared for the rain yesterday, in Matunga. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Mumbai woke up to a wet and thundery Wednesday morning, with heavy cloud cover, lightning, and gusty winds sweeping across the city and surrounding districts, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgrading its weather alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) from yellow to orange (a heightened risk of flooding in streets, streams, and vulnerable zones), warning residents to brace for more intense weather conditions.

Rain and thunder activity began late Tuesday across Mumbai, Thane, and parts of Palghar, following a day of unusually high temperatures. On Tuesday, the IMD recorded maximum temperatures of 34°C at both its Santacruz and Colaba observatories, while the minimum temperature touched 29°C, over two degrees above the season's normal. But the city saw some relief as strong winds and thunder clouds rolled in, bringing widespread rainfall to several pockets.

Areas including Dahisar, Borivli, Andheri, Powai, Lalbaug, and parts of the eastern and western suburbs experienced sudden gusts followed by spells of moderate rainfall accompanied by lightning and thunder. As per data from the BMC's weatheron, maximum rainfall in the last 24 hours was received in the western suburbs, especially areas under the Dahisar and Borivli belt.

In a bulletin issued Wednesday morning, IMD Mumbai warned of strong winds likely reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph in Palghar district and urged residents to "take precautions while moving out". A yellow alert remains in place for Mumbai until Thursday morning, with rain and thunderstorms expected to continue over the next few days. The IMD has also issued a nowcast warning for light rainfall in isolated pockets of the city over the next 3-4 days.

"Mumbai is surrounded by huge rain bands from all sides. Raining everywhere in Mumbai. Proper monsoon type rains," said independent weather enthusiast Rushikesh Agre, known as ‘Mumbai Rains' on X. Meteorologists attribute this spell of unseasonal rain to a "very strong" western disturbance in the lower atmospheric levels. Experts also expect a dip in daytime temperatures by 2-3°C in the coming days.

"While no further alerts have been issued beyond Thursday for Mumbai, the overcast skies and light drizzles may persist through Friday… We urge citizens to remain alert and plan travel with caution, especially as monsoon-like disruptions arrive well before schedule," said an official from IMD.

Showers bring woes

A sudden spell of rain led to significant waterlogging at Dahisar Toll Naka. A video was shared on X by Mumbai Rain, shows the toll naka inundated. Another user, Pawan, posted a similar video with the caption: "Dahisar Check Naka turned into a full-on river today! Sewer water and rainwater were racing like they're trying to drown us all."

Sheetal Mhatre, former Congress corporator from Dahisar, confirmed that the waterlogging occurred on DP Road near the toll naka. "This spot gets flooded every year. The BMC typically places a dewatering pump here during the monsoon. But since this rain came early, it caused waterlogging," Mhatre said.

A civic official from the R North Ward stated that the area's natural slope directs water towards Dahisar, making it prone to flooding. "As soon as we were informed, our staff reached the location and cleared the drain to help the rainwater flow," the official added.

Despite the BMC spending Rs 540 crore on nullah desilting over the past two years, issues persist. This monsoon, the BMC plans to deploy 482 dewatering pumps in low-lying areas to manage waterlogging.

Rainfall received in the past 24 hours

Anand Nagar Municipal School, Dahisar 55.6 mm
Dahisar Fire Station 54.61 mm
Tembipada Mun. School, Bhandup 46.8 mm
Gawanpada Fire Station, Mulund 43.16 mm
Mithagar Municipal School, Mulund 42.8 mm
MCMCR, Powai 30 mm
Aarey Colony Mun. School, Goregaon 30.2 mm
BKC Fire Station 25 mm
Barve Nagar Municipal School, Ghatkopar 24 mm
Banana Leaf and Juhu Dispensary 23.2 mm

(data credit- BMC and Vagaries of Weather)