Mumbai's rain woes deepen as monsoon pushes further inland — what new satellite images reveal

Mumbai and vast stretches of Maharashtra are bracing for heavier rainfall as the Southwest Monsoon continues its swift advance across India. Fresh satellite imagery from INSAT-3DS shows a significant buildup of dense cloud cover over Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka, indicating stronger monsoon activity in the coming days.

The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) now extends across a line that includes Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Mahbubnagar, Kavali, Agartala, Golpara and reaches up to 28.5N/89E - marking the rapid northward march of the monsoon system, as per India Today.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed on May 26 that the monsoon has progressed into several new regions, including more parts of the central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra — covering cities like Mumbai and Pune — along with Karnataka, including Bengaluru. It has also advanced into additional areas of Telangana andhra Pradesh and crucially, the westcentral and North Bay of Bengal, India Today said in its report.

In the Northeast, the monsoon now covers the entirety of Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam and Meghalaya. The remaining parts of Mizoram have also come under its influence.

According to the IMD, the conditions remain highly favourable for further advancement of the monsoon over the next three days. The rain-bearing system is expected to cover the remaining portions of the central Arabian Sea, more regions in Maharashtra and Karnataka, additional areas in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and the rest of the westcentral and North Bay of Bengal, as well as the remaining northeastern states. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also likely to witness the onset soon.

Mumbai has already experienced localised flooding and traffic snarls following early monsoon showers. With heavier spells forecast, municipal authorities have issued advisories urging residents to remain alert, especially in low-lying zones.

Heavy rain has lashed Mumbai since Sunday night, causing significant damage to lives and livelihoods across various parts of Maharashtra. In Raigad, one person reportedly lost his life after being struck by lightning. In Baramati, 25 houses have partially collapsed, while seven people trapped in floodwaters were successfully rescued. Authorities have relocated around 70 to 80 families to safer locations as a precautionary measure, as per an NDTV report.

Mobile services, which were disrupted during the downpour, are now gradually being restored. In Indapur, two individuals were rescued from flood-hit areas. Near Dudhebavi village, 30 people who were stranded have been provided with temporary accommodation and food. In Solapur district's Malshiras taluka, six people caught in rising waters have been shifted to safety.

Officials told India Today that satellite monitoring will play a critical role in helping cities like Mumbai stay ahead of fast-changing weather patterns and minimise disruption.