The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a stern warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several regions of Maharashtra as the southwest monsoon advances, notably covering Mumbai, Konkan, and Pune. The monsoon has arrived in Mumbai two days ahead of its usual schedule of June 11, bringing significant rainfall and weather changes to the region.
Red Alert for Sindhudurg, Orange Alerts for Ratnagiri, Mumbai, and Surrounding Areas
In response to the monsoon’s swift progression, the IMD has issued a red alert for Sindhudurg, indicating an imminent threat of extremely heavy rainfall. Ratnagiri is under an orange alert, while Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, and Raigad are on yellow alert, anticipating substantial rainfall.
The weather department forecasts extremely heavy rainfall (over 204 mm in 24 hours) for coastal Karnataka, Konkan, and Madhya Maharashtra through Monday. Heavy showers are expected to persist in these regions throughout the upcoming week, maintaining an orange alert status until Tuesday.
Impact on Daily Life: Road Cave-ins and Water-Logging
The intense rainfall has already impacted daily life in various parts of Maharashtra. In Palghar district, a section of the road caved in, disrupting traffic on the busy Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway for over four hours on Sunday morning.
Mumbai and its neighboring regions, including Thane, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahmednagar, Satara, and Jalgaon, experienced substantial rainfall over the past 24 hours. Mumbai recorded more than 60 mm of rainfall, with the Colaba observatory noting 67 mm and the Santacruz observatory reporting 64 mm in the same period.
Thane and Palghar districts witnessed overnight heavy rains, resulting in water-logging in certain areas. The Thane district disaster control room reported incidents of water-logging and falling tree branches, though no significant damages or injuries were reported.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Several parts of Mumbai face waterlogging as the city receives heavy rainfall.
Visuals from the Dadar area. pic.twitter.com/NJcZ2KIf5I
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024
Relief and Precautions
The heavy downpour has brought relief from the scorching heat and humidity for Mumbai residents. However, the authorities urge citizens to stay alert and take necessary precautions during this period of intense rainfall. Emergency services are on standby to manage any potential incidents arising from the adverse weather conditions.
As the monsoon continues to advance, the IMD and local authorities will provide ongoing updates and advisories. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and adhere to safety guidelines to navigate the rainy season safely.