Mumbai is bracing for another spell of heavy rainfall as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the city, forecasting intense showers until Thursday. The alert signifies a high probability of disruption to daily life, urging residents and authorities to remain vigilant.
The IMD's forecast indicates that the heavy rainfall is likely to persist throughout the week. While a slight reduction in intensity is expected on Friday, wet conditions are predicted to continue. The monsoon trough and a cyclonic circulation over Mumbai have created strong westerly winds, contributing to the heavy rainfall.
An orange alert is issued when extremely bad weather conditions are expected. These conditions have the potential to disrupt transport facilities, including rail, road, and air. Localized flooding and traffic jams are also likely.
In the past 24 hours, many regions have experienced heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Konkan, Gujarat, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya are among the areas that have been affected. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 50-70 kmph have also been reported in Konkan, Assam, and Meghalaya.
Due to the heavy rainfall, instances of waterlogging have been reported in several low-lying areas of Mumbai, causing traffic congestion and disruptions to suburban train and metro services. Suburban train services on the Central and Western Railway lines are running behind schedule.
The IMD has predicted cloudy skies with the possibility of heavy rainfall in certain areas of the city and suburbs. Alongside Mumbai, an orange alert has also been issued for Thane and Palghar, while a red alert has been issued for Raigad, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places.
In light of the weather forecast, citizens are advised to take necessary precautions. It is recommended to avoid venturing into waterlogged areas, stay updated on weather forecasts, and plan travel accordingly. Authorities are also on alert and disaster response teams have been put on standby to deal with any emergencies.
Currently, Mumbai is experiencing mostly cloudy conditions with a 15% chance of rain. The temperature is 84°F (29°C), but it feels like 96°F (35°C) due to the high humidity of around 85%. The forecast for the next few days includes light rain during the day and night, with a higher chance of rain on Wednesday.
