Mumbai Rains Continue: IMD Extends Alert for the City
Mumbai has once again come under the grip of heavy monsoon rains, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing extended alerts for the city and surrounding regions. According to IMD officials, the persistent rainfall is being caused by a low-pressure system that has developed over the Bay of Bengal. This has created an east-west trough extending to the Arabian Sea, triggering severe and continuous downpours along the Konkan coast, including Mumbai.
Officials have stated that the rainfall is expected to continue until the middle of next week, with warnings issued for possible waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and train delays across the city.
Rainfall Data: How Much Rain Has Mumbai Received?
According to the weather bureau, Mumbai’s Santacruz station recorded 85 mm of rainfall until 8:30 am on Sunday, while Colaba registered 55 mm. This comes after Santacruz reported a massive 245 mm rainfall on Saturday, compared to 85 mm at Colaba.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also released its data, showing that several parts of the city crossed the 100 mm mark within 24 hours. On Sunday:
- Western suburbs logged an average of 104 mm
- Island city recorded 93 mm
- Eastern suburbs received 78 mm
Among specific areas:
- Charkop topped the list with 190 mm
- Anand Nagar, Dahisar recorded 188 mm
- Borivali saw 168 mm
- Powai registered 134 mm
- Bhandup got 129 mm
- In South Mumbai, Fort area logged 134 mm, Cotton Green 132 mm, and Grant Road 129 mm.
This intense and uneven distribution of rainfall highlights the risk of flash flooding in several low-lying areas.
High Tide Warning: BMC Issues Advisory
Adding to Mumbai’s weather woes, the BMC disaster management cell has issued high tide warnings for the city. A 3.32-metre tide was expected around 5:22 pm on Sunday, followed by an even higher 3.54-metre tide predicted at 7:55 am on Monday.
Authorities have strongly advised residents to avoid seafronts during these hours to minimize risks from sea-water flooding. Fishermen and coastal residents have also been asked to remain vigilant.
Mumbai’s Water Supply: Lakes Near Full Capacity
While heavy rain has caused disruption in daily life, it has also brought relief in terms of water supply. Mumbai’s seven lakes, which provide drinking water to the city, are now nearly 90% full.
As of Sunday morning, the overall stock stood at 90.68%, translating to 13.12 lakh million litres out of the total 14.47 lakh million litres. Last year on the same date, the figure was 93.20%, while in 2024 it was 83.45%.
Here’s the current lake status:
- Tulsi Lake – 100% full
- Tansa Lake – 98.45%
- Middle Vaitarna – 97.17%
- Vihar – 89.92%
- Bhatsa – 89.23%
- Modak Sagar – 87.28%
- Upper Vaitarna – 86.48%
In the past 24 hours, catchment areas also received heavy rainfall:
- Tulsi: 150 mm
- Vihar: 75 mm
- Bhatsa: 42 mm
- Tansa: 21 mm
- Middle Vaitarna: 17 mm
- Modak Sagar: 14 mm
- Upper Vaitarna: 12 mm
This strong inflow ensures that Mumbai is unlikely to face water shortage this year.
Mumbai Local Train Status
Mumbai’s local trains, considered the lifeline of the city, continued to operate on Sunday despite multiple delays. Waterlogging in low-lying areas remains a constant threat, especially during high tide combined with heavy showers.
Officials have warned that on Monday, several railway lines may experience delays due to increased rainfall. Commuters are advised to check updates from railway authorities before planning travel.
Safety Advisory for Citizens
With IMD predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall through the start of the week, both Mumbai and Pune residents have been asked to remain alert. Authorities have urged people to:
- Avoid unnecessary travel during heavy showers.
- Stay indoors during high tide hours.
- Keep emergency supplies handy in case of flooding.
- Follow official updates from BMC, IMD, and railway authorities.
Conclusion
Mumbai is once again witnessing the full force of the monsoon season, with continuous rainfall, rising lake levels, and high tide risks. While the abundant rainfall has secured the city’s water supply, the immediate challenges of flooding, traffic jams, and railway delays remain. Citizens are urged to stay cautious, follow official advisories, and prioritize safety as heavy rains continue throughout the week.