Mumbai Under Orange Alert: Heavy Rainfall Expected to Continue Through Weekend

Mumbai is under an orange alert due to heavy to very heavy rainfall, with the IMD forecasting continuous rain through the weekend. The rain is part of an active southwest monsoon phase, with weather systems in the Arabian Sea pulling in moisture and pushing it toward the Konkan region. The city is experiencing intense rain, with areas such as CSMT, Byculla, Kurla, and Mulund being severely affected. The Mumbai Police has advised people to stay indoors and drive cautiously, while emergency services are on high alert. A red alert has been issued for Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, with a high risk of landslides and severe weather impacts in the ghat areas of Satara and Pune.

Mumbai is under an orange alert due to heavy to very heavy rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continuous rain through the weekend. The rain is part of an active southwest monsoon phase, with weather systems in the Arabian Sea pulling in moisture and pushing it toward the Konkan region. The city is experiencing intense rain, with areas such as CSMT, Byculla, Kurla, and Mulund being severely affected. The Mumbai Police has advised people to stay indoors and drive cautiously, while emergency services are on high alert. A red alert has been issued for Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, with a high risk of landslides and severe weather impacts in the ghat areas of Satara and Pune.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Maharashtra’s Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nagpur, and Wardha districts, while a red alert has been issued in Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Ghat region of Pune and Satara, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gondia, and Gadchiroli districts over the next two days [1]. The IMD has also issued "extremely heavy rainfall warnings" for Konkan and Goa, along with extremely heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning warnings for the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra [1].

The continuous downpour has led to significant waterlogging in Mumbai, prompting the Mumbai Traffic Police to shut down the Andheri Subway and divert traffic via the Gokhale Bridge and Thackeray Bridge [2]. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also issued a four-day alert till July 27 for high tides in the Arabian Sea [1]. Additionally, the Mumbai Police has advised citizens to avoid coastal areas and drive cautiously due to the high risk of flooding and traffic disruptions [3].

The ongoing rain spell is expected to last until July 27, with cloudy skies, humidity, and occasional showers continuing into the first week of August. The IMD has predicted more widespread rainfall across Maharashtra in the coming days, with districts such as Pune, Satara, and Raigad remaining under alert for potential heavy showers [2].

The monsoon activity has led to concerns about flooding, traffic disruptions, fallen trees, and possible damage to weak structures. In the hilly regions of Maharashtra, there is an added risk of landslides and mudslides due to the ongoing rain. For the farming community, the weather could lead to crop damage and loss. Continuous rain, waterlogging, and gusty winds can harm standing crops, plantations, and fruit-bearing trees. Poor drainage and excess moisture may also cause fungal infections or root damage, adding to farmers’ difficulties [3].

The IMD has advised citizens to remain indoors unless going out is necessary, avoid flooded areas and seashores, avoid standing under trees during lightning, and unplug electronic items during thunderstorms to avoid electric shocks. For the agricultural sector, farmers have been asked to harvest fully grown crops early, make sure fields have proper drainage, and provide support to delicate plants that may get damaged by wind or water. The use of chemical sprays and irrigation should be stopped until weather conditions improve. Farmers should also make sure that cattle are sheltered indoors, especially when thunderstorms are expected. Fishermen have been warned to stay away from rough seas [3].

The active southwest monsoon phase is common along India’s western coast during July, and the strong winds observed recently indicate that the monsoon activity is strong. The IMD’s Impact-Based Forecast (IBF) suggests that the city and its neighboring districts may face several problems if the rain continues as expected. Flooding is likely in low-lying areas and busy road junctions, which could cause major delays in train, road, air, and ferry services. As water levels rise and winds stay strong, the chances of trees falling, power outages, and small building collapses, especially in old or weak structures, also go up [3].

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/mumbai-rains-imd-issues-orange-alert-for-state-capital-red-alert-for-vidarbha-region/article69853860.ece
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/mumbai-rains-imd-issues-orange-alert-for-several-districts-maharatshtra-imd-weather-andheri-subway-shut-due-to-waterlogging/articleshow/122852571.cms
[3] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/mumbai-orange-alert-heavy-rain-imd-warning-red-alert-raigad-125072500640_1.html