Mumbai braced for heavy pre-monsoon rain; IMD issues yellow alert

Mumbai weather – City Braces for Heavy Rain as Monsoon Nears, IMD Alerts

Pre-monsoon rains are affecting Mumbai and the IMD has put out a yellow alert for the city. This happens before the monsoon season officially arrives which this year is expected to be the earliest in many years for Maharashtra and possibly Mumbai, too.

Pre-Monsoon Deluge:

Many parts of the financial capital have already seen much more rainfall than usual during May. The recent heavy rains have already flooded many parts, causing road traffic disruptions and disturbing commuters. It appears that western suburbs have seen the most rain so far this week. While the city usually gets a little rain late in May, this year the pre-monsoon rain has led to higher totals, with some places reaching 50 mm, a level not seen since the early 2000s apart from the time Cyclone Tauktae hit.

IMD’s Yellow Alert is in effect

IMD’s yellow alert tells residents to watch out for possible weather disruptions. With this warning, there is a possibility of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm of rain over 24 hours, resulting in local waterlogging of lower areas, heavy traffic jams and slippery pavements. Although it doesn’t alert of a pressing threat, it helps people stay responsive and alert. Districts in Konkan and on the ghats of Madhya Maharashtra are warned with orange and red alerts, meaning there could be heavy to extreme rain.

The start of Monsoon rains is happening early this year-

Glimmers of hope have risen for the quick arrival of the Southwest Monsoon in Mumbai after recent activity. IMD has noted that good conditions mean the monsoon can reach parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, within coming days.

If this does happen, it may be one of the earliest monsoons for the state in the last 35 years. If the monsoon arrives earlier than May 29, this will be the earliest monsoon for Mumbai, breaking records established in 1956, 1962, and 1971 for deliverance of the Indian Southwest Monsoon on May 29. The arrival of the Southwest Monsoon in Kerala was also earlier than expected this year, arriving roughly eight days earlier than June 1, the normal date.

The sudden and very heavy pre-monsoon rains are of note, as they highlight the need for preparing for flooding events. More localized events of flooding have already caused traffic jams from damaged streets and waterlogging. Health professionals have noted that the erratic weather patterns and increased humidity, along with accumulated stagnant water has been the cause of more seasonal infections including respiratory issues being identified. Saturated land and conditions are ripe for the growth of viruses and bacteria. In anticipation of the monsoon becoming worse, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has provided advisories to residents (landfall locations on hills) living in ungazetted vulnerable areas to prepare for evacuation. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) already had a number of “extremely dangerous” cessed buildings identified in South and Central Mumbai, but has alerted Greater Mumbai to evacuate due to guaranteed collapse that can be expected with the incoming heavy rains.

read more: Capturing Delhi’s Monsoon Magic: Top 10 Photography Spots to Explore

Overall, Mumbai has exhibited a trend in steep inclines in recent days, from heavy pre-monsoon rains to potentially an earlier and more vigorous monsoon season.

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