Mumbai and its adjoining metropolitan region are currently under a Yellow Alert as continuous rainfall continues to lash the city and surrounding districts. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds for the next four days across Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar. As a result of consistent showers in the catchment areas, water levels in the lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have now crossed 82 percent, offering significant relief to citizens amid earlier concerns about possible water cuts.
The Yellow Alert implies a preparedness warning from the IMD, urging local authorities and residents to stay cautious. While the alert is in place for Mumbai and nearby districts, Raigad district has been placed under an Orange Alert, signalling the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The increased rainfall is being seen as a positive development for water security in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), particularly as lake levels had shown slow growth in the initial weeks of the monsoon. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) latest data, the cumulative water stock in all seven lakes stood at 82.45 percent as of July 20 morning. This marks a significant increase from earlier weeks, ensuring that the city will not need to impose water cuts this year.
The strong inflow into reservoirs like Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, and Modak Sagar is attributed to the early arrival of the monsoon and consistent rainfall across the region. The BMC’s hydraulic department reported that gates of major reservoirs were opened early in July. Two gates of the Middle Vaitarna were opened on July 7, followed by the overflow of Modak Sagar on July 9. Upper Vaitarna also began discharging water on July 5. The Bhandup Complex, one of the major water processing facilities, has recorded over 832 mm of rainfall so far, supporting consistent water flow across the system. In terms of city-wide rainfall, Mumbai has received about 32.70 percent of its average annual rainfall of 2207 mm. As of July 20, the city has recorded 639 mm, the eastern suburbs 809 mm, and the western suburbs 713 mm. This variation reflects the diverse intensity of rainfall across the urban zones.
The local forecast for the next 48 hours indicates generally cloudy skies with moderate spells of rain across the city and suburbs. Isolated areas may also experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds. Temperatures are expected to range between 25°C and 30°C, offering mild relief amid the monsoon humidity. While the current weather is challenging in terms of mobility and civic operations, it has come as a boon for the city’s water supply, which is now comfortably positioned to meet demand for the coming months. Authorities continue to urge residents to exercise caution during commutes and stay updated through official advisories.
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