MUMBAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a temporary lull in heavy rainfall activity in Mumbai for the coming days. However, the overall monsoon activity for June is projected to be “above normal,” as, IMD’s Official.
The average rainfall for June at IMD Santacruz is 526.3 mm. Despite the monsoon’s delayed onset last year—arriving on June 25 instead of the usual June 11—the city recorded rainfall exceeding the monthly average. This year, monsoon rains commenced on June 9, slightly ahead of the typical start date.
In an interactive session on the monsoon at the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Churchgate, Official explained that rainfall during the four monsoon months occurs in “surges.” Despite the current break in heavy rain, the IMD is closely monitoring the situation. “We expect above-normal rainfall for the entire country during the monsoon months. Specifically for June, rainfall is anticipated to be above normal. Although there is a temporary lull, rain activity is expected to resume shortly. We are continuously monitoring any developing weather systems,” Official stated.
While several parts of Mumbai saw negligible rain on Tuesday, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Thane, Kalyan, and Navi Mumbai, experienced brief but heavy showers in the afternoon. Thane recorded 47 mm of rainfall between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm. The IMD’s Colaba and Santacruz observatories reported 52.8 mm and 15 mm of rainfall, respectively, in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Tuesday. So far this season, the Colaba and Santacruz observatories have recorded 118 mm and 104 mm of rainfall, respectively.
During Tuesday’s session, Official also addressed the extreme weather events experienced by the city due to climate change. “The weather patterns are shifting, which led us to revise the normal monsoon onset date from June 10 to June 11 after observing consistent delays in recent years,” Official explained.
The temporary break in rainfall notwithstanding, the forecast for above-normal monsoon activity in June underscores the need for preparedness in Mumbai. The IMD’s continuous monitoring and updated weather predictions will be crucial in managing the city’s response to the dynamic monsoon patterns and mitigating the impact of extreme weather events influenced by climate change. This forecast of increased rainfall activity aligns with the broader trend of climate variability and highlights the importance of adaptive strategies in urban planning and infrastructure development to cope with such fluctuations.
