The state has been witnessing unsual pre-monsoon rainfall activity this year, with several districts witnessing moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has now confirmed that the with the increased rainfall activity, the conditions are favourable for further advancement of monsoon and Mumbai and Maharashtra will witness early onset of monsoon.
“Mumbai is expected to have early monsoon arrival,” said IMD Mumbai Director Shubhangi Bhute. The monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala on May 27. The onset of monsoon in Maharashtra will be in first week of June. Mumbai will witness early arrival of monsoon this year, against it official date of June 11.
On Sunday, Mumbai’s Santacruz observatory recorded maximum and minimum temperature of 34.2°C and 26.6°C, with cloudy skies and humid weather. For the next 48 hours, Mumbai city and suburbs is forecasted to have maximum and minimum temperature of 33°C and 27°C, with generally cloudy skies and possibility of thundershowers.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued warning for widespread rainfall activity in the state from May 19 to 25, with Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra expected to recieve heavy to very heavy rainfall. The Konkan region includes, Mumbai and it’s metropolitan regions.
Yellow and Orange alerts for rainfall and thunderstorms have also been issued for the state this week. As per weather forecast of May 18, Mumbai and MMR regions continues to have Yellow Alert for rainfall with lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds for the next five days. The fishermen are also advised to not venture into the sea.
The IMD’s press release on May 18 on increased rainfall activity for the week, also warns of localised flooding, water logging in low-lying areas and urban areas, possibility of flash floods, possibility of weak trees collapses and following traffic advisories before moving out.
As per IMD data, this year so far, Colaba observatory has recorded a total of 85.2 mm rainfall and Santacruz has recorded 45.6 mm, which is more than average pre-monsoon rains the city witnesses. The city’s average rainfall for May is typically 12 mm.
