Mumbai Yellow Alert As IMD Predicts Rain Across Major Cities
Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Shimla are bracing for a fresh spell of rains today, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a series of alerts highlighting varied intensities across major urban centres. The forecast, dated 5 September, comes as the southwest monsoon continues to influence weather patterns across the country, disrupting mobility and fuelling concerns over urban infrastructure readiness.
According to IMD officials, Mumbai has been placed under a yellow alert while the adjoining districts of Thane and Palghar remain under an orange alert. This indicates the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations, increasing the risk of waterlogging and transport delays. Mumbai is expected to record between 0.5 and 1.7 mm of rainfall today, while Delhi could see a wider range, from light showers of 0.4 mm to spells extending up to 13 mm.
The weather updates also extend to southern and eastern cities, where variations are less intense but still significant for urban management. Forecasting services have predicted light showers in Chennai, light to moderate rainfall in Bengaluru and up to 0.3 mm of rain in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Kolkata is set to receive between 0.2 mm and 7 mm, a spread that underlines the unpredictability of urban weather conditions during late monsoon spells. Shimla is expected to register up to 0.5 mm, raising the possibility of localised disruptions in hilly terrain already vulnerable to soil erosion.
Officials have emphasised that these alerts, particularly for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, are precautionary but essential. Heavy rain in the densely populated financial hub often overwhelms drainage systems, causing flooding that highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management practices. Urban planners argue that these seasonal disruptions reiterate the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions, including wetlands preservation and permeable surfaces, to absorb excess rainfall without straining stormwater networks.
Experts note that the socio-economic cost of unpreparedness is high. Prolonged traffic jams, flight delays, and lost productivity during monsoon downpours underscore how weather has become an urban governance issue, not just a natural phenomenon. Equitable urban design ensuring that low-income and marginalised residents are not disproportionately exposed to flood risks remains a pressing challenge.
Today’s alerts are part of a broader pattern of climate volatility witnessed in recent years, with erratic rainfall intensities replacing predictable seasonal showers. Meteorologists caution that Indian cities must adapt not only with better forecasting but also through systemic changes in housing, energy use, and transport that align with sustainable development goals.For now, residents in the listed cities are advised to stay alert and plan their day around potential rainfall-induced disruptions. The monsoon may enrich reservoirs and cool temperatures, but its impact on mobility and safety continues to test the resilience of Indian cities.
