The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated light to moderate rainfall for Mumbai and coastal Maharashtra with a green alert for the remainder of the week, while a yellow alert has been issued for Palghar and Thane districts for Tuesday and for Ratnagiri for Thursday and Friday.
According to the IMD, the city will likely experience moderate rainfall over the next two days due to western disturbances. These are east-moving wind systems that have picked up moisture travelling eastward from their origination close to the Mediterranean Sea.
A senior official from IMD told mid-day, “Due to continued western disturbances, enhanced moisture is expected over coastal Maharashtra and Mumbai over the next two days, with continued moderate rainfall.”
According to the IMD, Mumbai this year has seen the earliest onset of monsoon in 75 years. The city recorded the onset of monsoons on May 26, contrary to the usual date for the onset of monsoon, which is June 10 or June 11 every year.
Withdrawal of monsoon
The IMD has predicted a delayed withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. According to the IMD, the monsoon is likely to withdraw from Maharashtra a little after October 10 and from the rest of the country by the middle of October. In 2024, the southwest monsoon withdrew on October 15.
IMD issues a withdrawal of monsoon when there is a lack of moisture as per imagery, and there is dryness for up to five days. “The delayed monsoon withdrawal is a fairly common phenomenon. We are at present at the cusp of monsoon and post-monsoon season,” the official added.
Since June, the Santacruz observatory has received over 3100 mm of rainfall till September, against its monsoon average of 2319 mm of rainfall. The city has this year recorded 512 mm of rain in June, 798 mm in July, 1184 mm in August, and 606 mm in September.
