Mumbai weather: IMD issues 'red alert' as financial capital braces for heavy rains

Mumbai continued to received rainfall on Saturday morning as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'red alert' for the financial capital, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs. The weather agency also stated that there is a possibility of extremely heavy showers and gusty winds reaching 60 kmph in isolated areas.

Based on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rainfall data for the period between July 3 (8:00 am) to July 4 (8:00 am), the western suburbs recorded the highest rainfall in Mumbai, with the H West Ward Office logging 150.6 mm of rain, followed by Supari Tank Municipal School in Bandra (146 mm) and Pali Chimbai Municipal School, Bandra (143.2 mm).

Also read: Mumbai rains: BMC orders closure of schools, colleges for afternoon session




In the eastern suburbs, the N Ward Office recorded the highest rainfall at 143 mm, followed by Ramabai Municipal School, Ghatkopar (136.4 mm), Mankhurd Fire Station (134.2 mm) and Collector Colony Municipal School, Chembur (127.6 mm).

The island city received comparatively lower rainfall, with the G South Ward Office recording the highest at 141.8 mm, followed by the F North Ward Office (135.2 mm), B Ward Office (120.8 mm), Rawali Camp (118.28 mm) and N.M. Joshi Marg Municipal School in Lower Parel (118 mm).

Several parts of Mumbai, including Sion Gandhi Market and Dadra East, faced severe waterlogging, worsening commuter hardship and disrupting daily life.

Civic officials affirmed that while the metropolis recorded over 100 mm of rain in several parts over the last 24 hours, public transport remains operational.

However, commuters have reported delays in the suburban local train network throughout the day.

The authorities have warned of high tides at 2.50 pm with a height of 4.26 metres on Saturday and at 2.52 am on Sunday with a height of 3.60 metres, while the low tide scheduled at 8.56 pm on Saturday at 1.66 metres and at 8.22 am on Sunday at 1.28 metres.

Mumbai rainfall warning

The IMD on Saturday issued a red warning for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, forecasting intense spells of rain at isolated places over the next three hours.

The nowcast warning, issued at 4 pm and valid for three hours, urged residents to take necessary precautions as heavy rainfall could lead to waterlogging, reduced visibility and traffic disruptions in vulnerable areas.

Between 8 am and 2 pm on Saturday, Mumbai's eastern suburbs recorded the highest rainfall, with the Building Proposal Office in Vikhroli logging 200 mm of rain. It was followed by Tagore Nagar Municipal School in Vikhroli and Paspoli Powai Municipal School, which received 189.2 mm each, while the Vikhroli Fire Station recorded 176.6 mm and the Bhandup Complex received 169.4 mm.

In the western suburbs, Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Municipal School in Jogeshwari recorded the highest rainfall at 153.6 mm, followed by Chakala Municipal School in Andheri (147.4 mm), Andheri Fire Station (143.4 mm), the K West Ward Office (141.8 mm) and Chincholi Fire Station (136.4 mm).

The island city received comparatively lower rainfall, with the highest 71.8 mm recorded at the Colaba Pumping Station. Pratiksha Nagar Municipal School in Sion received 63.4 mm, followed by the F North Ward Office (56.2 mm), Colaba Fire Station (51.4 mm) and Rawali Camp (50.55 mm).

Amid heavy rainfall in the financial capital, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the Emergency Control Room at the BMC headquarters and reviewed the entire situation.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Corporation Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Corporation Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Deputy Commissioner (Emergency Management) Sharad Ughade, Director (Emergency Management) Mahesh Narvekar, Chief Officer (Emergency Management) Rashmi Lokhande, and other officials were also present.

Mayor Tawde visited and inspected the Dharmaveer, Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road (South) area this afternoon.

She urged citizens loitering along the seafront in the Worli area to leave the area, as they were spotted wandering by the seaside and sitting on parapets. The Mayor clearly told the citizens that it is not advisable to risk going to the shore while the sea waves are crashing.

The Municipal Corporation administration and the police administration have issued several advisories to "not step out of your homes unnecessarily in heavy rain and do not go to the seafront."