Mumbai Braces for Heavy Rainfall as IMD Issues Yellow Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning of thunderstorms with lightning and moderate to heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs.
Winds may gust up to 50 kmph in isolated pockets as a low-pressure system builds over the Arabian Sea. Mumbai skies are expected to remain cloudy through the day, with showers likely in several areas. The IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded a high of 34°C and a low of 25.6°C, while Colaba registered 32.2°C and 27°C respectively. Neighbouring districts including Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg are under an orange alert for the weekend, with the IMD forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations. Similar warnings have been extended to the ghat regions of Pune, Kolhapur, and Satara, where intense showers are expected to continue through May 25.
The IMD attributed the surge in rainfall to a cyclonic circulation that developed off the Karnataka coast on May 21. A low-pressure area subsequently formed over the east-central Arabian Sea on May 22, triggering widespread rain across Maharashtra. In its latest update, the department warned of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Pune, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Satara, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli. The ghat areas of Nashik may also see significant rainfall, though of slightly lower intensity. Meanwhile, a red alert has been issued for Goa, which recorded torrential downpours over the past 24 hours. Ponda in South Goa reported the highest rainfall at 162 mm, followed by Dharbandora (124.2 mm) and Margao (123.4 mm).
The red alert will remain in effect till Sunday, with the Goa government urging residents to avoid rivers and waterfalls due to flash flood risk. The IMD has urged caution across the western coast as the monsoon surge continues to intensify.
