IMD issues red alert for Mumbai, Konkan as monsoon advances; heavy rain disrupts normal life

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Ratnagiri districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert has also been sounded for Sindhudurg, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Beed, and Latur, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy showers in these regions.

The southwest monsoon has further advanced over more parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, and parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru. It has also covered remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and progressed into Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and the west-central and north Bay of Bengal. In the northeast, the monsoon has reached all of Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Assam and Meghalaya.

The northern limit of monsoon now passes through Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Mahbubnagar, Kavali, Agartala, Golpara, and up to 28.5°N/89°E. According to IMD, conditions remain favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into the remaining parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and northeast India in the next three days.

In Mumbai, heavy overnight showers caused waterlogging in several low-lying areas, including Hindmata and the Andheri subway, disrupting road and rail transport. Local train services, considered the city's lifeline, were affected due to water accumulation on tracks. Office-goers faced significant difficulties as rainfall intensified during the morning hours.

Between 8:30 am and 11:30 am on Sunday, Colaba recorded 105.2 mm of rain, while Bandra received 68.5 mm. Rainfall at other locations included Juhu Airport (63.5 mm), Sion (53.5 mm), Santacruz (55 mm), Chembur-Tata Power (38.5 mm), Vikhroli (37.5 mm), and Mahalaxmi (33.5 mm).

Data from the BMC revealed even higher figures over a 24-hour period ending 11 am Monday. A Ward Office recorded 216 mm of rainfall, followed by 214 mm at BMC Headquarters and 207 mm at the Colaba Pumping Station. Other significant readings included 202 mm at Do Tanki Eye Hospital, 183 mm at Memonwada Fire Station, and 171 mm at Worli’s Britannia Pumping Station. Rainfall in suburban areas like Santacruz (103 mm), Bandra (101 mm), Chembur (82 mm), and Kurla (76 mm) also contributed to widespread waterlogging.

In the Konkan region, Ratnagiri’s Dapoli taluka witnessed torrential rains, leading to the Patadi river overflowing and flooding the Khed-Dapoli road. The river water entered nearby villages, and road connectivity between Dapoli and Khed was severed. Authorities have diverted traffic via Mandangad.

In Raigad district, heavy rainfall has continued unabated for over 24 hours, severely impacting daily life. Several roads are submerged, and motorists faced difficulties due to waterlogging.

A red alert remains in effect for Raigad as well, with the IMD predicting further heavy rainfall in the coming hours. Citizens have been urged to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take all necessary precautions as weather conditions remain unstable.