Mumbai is set for a renewed spell of monsoon activity, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting light to moderate showers midweek before intensifying rainfall begins from September 27. While the city experienced brief showers earlier this week, the upcoming days are expected to see heightened activity, culminating in an orange alert issued for Friday across Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad.
Officials indicated that skies will remain cloudy over the next two days, with temperatures hovering near 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 24 degrees Celsius at night. Thunderstorms may develop in parts of the city, although the immediate risk remains limited until Friday. The alert issued for September 27 warns of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations, raising the possibility of waterlogging and transport disruption. Data from the IMD’s Santacruz and Colaba observatories underline the intensity of this year’s monsoon. As of Tuesday, cumulative rainfall has reached 2,920 mm in Santacruz and 1,959 mm in Colaba, both crossing seasonal averages by significant margins. On Tuesday alone, the city recorded 17 mm and 28 mm of rain respectively at these stations.
Meteorological experts suggest that the late-September surge is linked to active monsoon currents over the Arabian Sea, coinciding with regional low-pressure developments. This has prompted authorities to caution residents against complacency, especially in flood-prone areas where urban drainage networks remain vulnerable. The forecast extends beyond Mumbai, with central Maharashtra districts already experiencing the brunt of heavy rainfall. Latur district, for example, witnessed intense downpours earlier this week, with an average of 35.3 mm on Monday and more than 61 mm in Latur tehsil on Tuesday. Tragically, a farmer lost his life to electrocution amid the rains, while over 40 roads and bridges were submerged. Evacuations were carried out in low-lying pockets, and bus services were suspended on several routes due to impassable bridges.
Officials confirmed that Latur has already recorded 224.5 mm of rain in September, significantly above the seasonal average of 138.8 mm. Since June 1, the district has logged 783 mm of cumulative rainfall, 118 per cent of the long-term seasonal norm. This pattern highlights the erratic nature of the monsoon, with climate scientists warning of both excess rainfall and extended dry phases becoming increasingly common. The escalation of rainfall over the weekend is expected to put further pressure on Mumbai’s civic infrastructure. With past incidents of flooding still fresh in public memory, experts stress the need for robust flood-mitigation strategies, sustainable urban planning, and climate-adaptive infrastructure. Building equitable, eco-friendly cities capable of absorbing such shocks, they argue, is no longer optional but urgent.
As Mumbai prepares for another bout of heavy showers, authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant, particularly in coastal and low-lying zones. While the monsoon provides crucial relief to reservoirs and green cover, the risks of unchecked urban flooding, traffic gridlocks, and civic disruption continue to loom large.
Also Read: Kochi Launches Local Area Survey To Drive Sustainable Urban Development
