Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to relentless monsoon showers on Sunday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed the city under a Red Alert, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall through the day. The weather department has cautioned that intense rain, coupled with a 4.19 metre high tide expected this afternoon, could trigger flooding, severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several parts of the city.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged residents to remain indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary. Citizens living in low lying and flood prone areas have been advised to stay alert and follow official advisories as emergency teams remain on standby across Mumbai.
According to the IMD’s latest nowcast, moderate to intense spells of rain are likely over Mumbai and adjoining areas during the day. Gusty winds accompanying the downpour may further affect visibility and road conditions, while local train commuters and motorists could face delays if rainfall intensifies.
The city has already witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past few days. BMC data shows several areas received 250-300 mm of rain within 24 hours, accounting for nearly 74% of Mumbai’s average July rainfall. The Santacruz observatory has recorded more than 675 mm of rainfall since July 1, while the Colaba observatory has crossed 500 mm, highlighting the intensity of this monsoon spell.
Despite continuous rain, civic officials have deployed thousands of personnel across Mumbai to monitor waterlogging, tree falls and emergency situations. Authorities have appealed to residents to avoid venturing near the coastline, overflowing drains and flooded roads until weather conditions improve.
Airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, have also issued travel advisories, asking passengers to check flight schedules before heading to the airport as adverse weather may affect operations. Commuters using road and rail transport are advised to plan extra travel time and keep track of official updates.
Meteorologists expect the southwest monsoon to remain active over western and central India over the next few days due to a well marked low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. This weather pattern is likely to sustain widespread rainfall across Maharashtra, with Mumbai expected to continue experiencing wet conditions into the coming week.
Residents are advised to monitor IMD and BMC advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, and report emergencies through civic helplines if required. With heavy rain and high tide expected to coincide today, authorities are closely watching the situation to minimise disruptions and ensure public safety.