MUMBAI, INDIA — The monsoon has made a thundering return to Mumbai, drenching the city in early-morning showers and ushering in traffic snarls, delayed flights, flooded roads, and high tide warnings. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Mumbai under an Orange Alert, signalling the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. Citizens are advised to brace for intense waterlogging, stormy conditions, and prolonged travel delays.
As Mumbaikars woke up to the first major downpour of the season, the city’s infrastructure was immediately put to the test — with blocked drains, overflowing low-lying zones, and disrupted public transport across the metropolis.
Rainfall Figures Among the Season’s Highest
According to the Times of India and IMD reports, rainfall in Mumbai during the 24-hour period ending at 8 AM on Monday ranked among the heaviest this season. Data from key IMD observatories show:
- IMD Colaba: 100 mm
- IMD Santacruz: 86 mm
- Wadala (AWS): 161.4 mm
- Matunga: 147.55 mm
- Lower Parel: 143.46 mm
- Worli Fire Station: 140.73 mm
Early-morning figures between 2 AM and 5 AM also reported intense showers in Fort (74 mm), Bandra (62 mm), and Malabar Hill (60 mm), while rain-hit suburbs like Borivali, typically spared during initial monsoon spells, saw measurable precipitation of 28 mm.
Despite the dramatic rainfall in Mumbai, Thane — just north of the city — experienced mostly dry conditions overnight. However, meteorologists expect the area to receive rain later in the day as the monsoon system intensifies across the Konkan belt.
IMD and BMC Issue Dual Alerts
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), working alongside the IMD, has issued warnings for possible flooding and storm surges in vulnerable coastal zones. A high tide of 3.44 meters is forecast at 3:31 AM on Tuesday, heightening the risk of compounded waterlogging.
In light of these forecasts, BMC has restricted public access to the city’s seafronts including Marine Drive, Haji Ali, and Juhu Beach, urging citizens to stay away from promenades and breakwaters during high tide periods.
BMC’s flood monitoring teams are keeping a close watch on several high-risk locations, including:
- Fort
- Bandra
- Malabar Hill
- Lower Parel
- Matunga
- Haji Ali
These areas have already shown signs of drain backups and heavy pooling as of Monday morning.
Travel Impact: Delays on Ground and in Air
The monsoon has quickly affected both air and rail travel:
- IndiGo Airlines issued an advisory citing “temporary disruptions” to flight schedules due to poor visibility and wet runways at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
- Suburban train services on the Western, Central, and Harbour lines are operating with delays of 10 to 15 minutes, causing crowding at key stations like Dadar, Kurla, and Churchgate.
- A portion of road near the under-construction Girgaon Metro station caved in due to rain-induced erosion. Although no injuries were reported, this highlights the underlying risk of infrastructure instability during peak monsoon periods.
Warnings for Wider Maharashtra and Goa
The IMD has also extended weather advisories beyond Mumbai. According to its latest bulletin:
- Konkan & Goa: Likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall (>20 cm in 24 hours) until June 18
- Madhya Maharashtra: Expected to face isolated heavy rainfall from June 16 to 21
Tourists currently visiting Goa, Ratnagiri, Alibaug, and Sindhudurg are advised to monitor local weather updates and avoid venturing into open waters or trekking routes prone to landslides.
Civic Response and Preparedness
In preparation for intensifying rain activity, BMC has:
- Activated 24×7 control rooms across all 24 municipal wards
- Deployed dewatering pumps in chronic flooding hotspots like Dadar TT, Hindmata, Sion, and Kurla
- Reinforced barricades near under-construction metro sites and low-lying pedestrian crossings
The Mumbai Traffic Police has also issued diversions on stretches of Tulsi Pipe Road, SV Road, and Linking Road, where accumulation of water has slowed vehicle movement.
Meanwhile, social media accounts run by BMC and IMD are providing live rainfall updates, safety instructions, and tide alerts, helping commuters and residents plan their day more effectively.
The Bigger Picture: Monsoon’s Double-Edged Sword
Mumbai’s relationship with the monsoon is a tale of extremes. While the rains bring much-needed relief from sweltering heat and replenish water reservoirs, they also expose longstanding issues such as clogged storm drains, vulnerable construction sites, and poor road quality.
This year’s early-season deluge serves as a reminder that urban flood resilience and weather-responsive infrastructure are critical in a climate where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent.
What Residents Should Do
Authorities recommend that Mumbaikars:
- Avoid unnecessary travel during high-alert periods
- Keep emergency kits and power backups ready
- Report blocked drains or fallen trees to the BMC disaster helpline (1916)
- Follow official weather alerts on @mybmc and @Indiametdept for real-time updates
Conclusion:
As Mumbai braces for more monsoon rain this week, the city finds itself in a familiar bind — balancing the beauty of seasonal rainfall with the burden of urban vulnerability. From disrupted travel plans to coastal closures, this Orange Alert is a wake-up call that better infrastructure, civic preparedness, and climate adaptation are more vital than ever.
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