The India Meteorological Department has forecast light rain in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar on Friday, September 25, while warning of possible sudden storms in parts of Mumbai as Ganesh immersion processions take place on Anant Chaturdashi. Orange alerts have been issued for Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia because of the likelihood of heavier rain.
The Navbharat Times report, citing the IMD forecast, said the Konkan division, including Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, is unlikely to receive intense rainfall during the day. Light rain is expected in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
The higher-risk conditions are expected in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. The weather system has been linked to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to increase rainfall intensity in Marathwada and Vidarbha. Parbhani, Beed, Latur and Dharashiv may also experience strong winds.
Wind speeds in Jalgaon could reach 40–50 kmph on Friday, while stronger winds are also possible in Solapur. Light to moderate rain is forecast in other parts of Madhya Maharashtra. The orange alert remains in force for Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.
For Mumbai, the forecast is particularly relevant to movement around immersion routes, roads and public spaces. The report does not indicate a city-wide heavy-rain warning, but it cautions that isolated storm activity may occur in different parts of the city. Residents and organisers will need to monitor local weather updates as conditions change through the day.
The wider monsoon season has recorded a 17% rainfall deficit in Maharashtra, compared with a 15% below-average figure for the country, according to the report. Despite an 82% weekly rainfall deficit in Pune between September 10 and 16, the district’s cumulative monsoon rainfall remains 20% above average.
The southwest monsoon is expected to begin withdrawing from Maharashtra around October 5 and could retreat from most of the state by October 10. The IMD has forecast heavy rain in parts of the state over the next two to three days.
