Mumbai: The city experienced yet another day of heavy rainfall on Friday, accompanied by a ‘yellow’ alert warning from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), indicating substantial rain activity in isolated areas.
The recent downpours have not only erased Mumbai’s rainfall deficit but also led to a surplus, with the IMD Colaba and Santacruz observatories recording 153mm and 145mm of rain, respectively. IMD officials have forecasted an escalation in rainfall activity on Saturday, issuing an orange alert for Mumbai. This alert predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in isolated locations. An IMD official explained, “The westerly winds are expected to intensify, leading to increased rainfall activity on Saturday. However, we are continuously monitoring the weather models.” In the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Friday, the Santacruz station recorded 116mm of rain, while the Colaba station noted 86mm. The most intense rainfall occurred between 7 am and 8 am, particularly affecting the eastern suburbs, including Bandra-Kurla Complex (36mm), Chembur (33mm), and Kurla (29mm).
Since the onset of the monsoon on June 8, Mumbai has accumulated 1,028.5mm of rainfall. Of this, 347mm was recorded in June, representing a 35% shortfall from the average requirement of 537mm. In July, the city has already received 681.4mm, or nearly 80% of the monthly average of 855.7mm, within the first 12 days, according to IMD data. Last year, Mumbai recorded its wettest July ever with 1,771mm of rain. On Friday, the total water stock in the city’s seven lakes was 3.29 lakh million litres, equating to 22.8% of the total required quantum of 14.47 lakh million litres. For comparison, on July 12, 2023, the total water stock was 4 lakh million litres, or 27.7%.
The heavy rains have significantly boosted the city’s water reserves, providing a respite from potential water shortages. However, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with a focus on managing the excess water and ensuring the safety of residents. As Mumbai braces for more rainfall, residents are advised to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.
