IMD issues alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad; severe waterlogging in various areas

Visuals of the waterlogged streets and traffic congestion have been widely shared by residents on social media.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather forecast indicating moderate to heavy spells of rain for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad over the next three to four hours. A red alert has been issued for the Sindhudurg district, while an orange alert is in effect for Ratnagiri district.

The regional IMD office in Mumbai has warned that these areas will likely experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds. "Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and moderate to heavy spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad during next 3-4 hours. Take precautions while moving out," the IMD stated.

Earlier on Sunday, parts of Mumbai and Thane experienced rainfall, following heavy downpours on Saturday night that led to severe waterlogging in various areas.

Dahisar received a massive 40 mm in just an hour. Roads waterlogged. Happy Sunday Mumbaikars. #MumbaiRains https://t.co/d0QQ2nZHKs pic.twitter.com/sVjLzKvrGd

— Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) June 9, 2024

These pre-monsoon showers have caused significant disruptions, including waterlogged streets and traffic jams, which are expected to be followed by heavier monsoon rains within the next 48 hours. Visuals of the waterlogged streets and traffic congestion have been widely shared by residents on social media.

Parts of Pune are Flooded ️
This is just the pre-monsoon rains. Just a trailer. What will happen in Mumbai one can imagine. Horrible scenes from Pune #MumbaiRains #PuneRains pic.twitter.com/SFh4EqsFWw

— Mumbai Nowcast (@MumbaiNowcast) June 8, 2024

Additionally, the IMD has reported that the southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the central Arabian Sea, south Maharashtra, Telangana, south Chhattisgarh, south Odisha, and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

"Southwest Monsoon has advanced into some more parts of the central Arabian Sea, south Maharashtra, Telangana, and some parts of south Chhattisgarh and south Odisha, and some more parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh today, 8 June 2024," the IMD announced on X.

Favorable conditions are expected for the Southwest Monsoon to continue its advance into additional regions of the central Arabian Sea, further affecting Maharashtra (including Mumbai) and Telangana in the next 2-3 days.

In a related development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the ongoing heatwave and prepare for the monsoon season. Notably, this year’s monsoon has arrived two days earlier than usual, with the typical onset date being June 1. Kerala has already experienced widespread pre-monsoon rains.