Mumbai on orange alert as IMD warns of thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of thunderstorms, lightning, moderate to intense rainfall and gusty winds over the next few hours.

According to the IMD's nowcast warning, parts of Mumbai could experience active weather conditions, including wind speeds of 30-40 kmph, accompanied by thunderstorms and heavy rain spells. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

Several localities, including Bandra East, witnessed pre-monsoon showers, lightning and thunderstorms on Monday morning. While the rainfall brought relief from the prevailing heat, it also led to waterlogging and slow-moving traffic in some parts of the city.

The weather department indicated that conditions remain favourable for the onset and further advance of the southwest monsoon over Mumbai and surrounding regions. An official declaration of monsoon onset over the city is expected once all meteorological criteria are met, potentially later on Monday or Tuesday.

Beyond Mumbai, the IMD said the southwest monsoon is likely to advance further into parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh around June 23. Rainfall activity is expected to intensify over Konkan and Goa between June 23 and June 27, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast across the coastal belt.

The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, over parts of Konkan, Goa and Marathwada during the coming days.

At the national level, India is experiencing contrasting weather patterns. While heavy rainfall continues across parts of northeast India, large areas of central and northern India remain under heatwave conditions. The IMD has forecast heatwave to severe heatwave conditions over Vidarbha, East Madhya Pradesh and East Uttar Pradesh for the next four to five days, with heatwave conditions also expected in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada.

Adding to concerns, India recorded a significant rainfall shortfall. On June 21, the country received only 3.1 mm of rainfall against a normal average of 6.4 mm, resulting in a rainfall deficit of approximately 51 per cent. Weather experts attribute the deficit to weak monsoon circulation, the absence of strong low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and changing atmospheric conditions linked to warming sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

Meteorologists, however, believe the situation could improve if stronger monsoon systems develop in the coming weeks. Fresh weather disturbances over the Bay of Bengal may help accelerate monsoon progress and reduce the rainfall deficit across several parts of the country.

As Mumbai braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms, authorities have urged residents to stay updated with official weather advisories and exercise caution during periods of intense rainfall and lightning activity.