Mumbai weather update: Light to moderate rainfall likely in city and suburbs today

Pic/Anurag Ahire

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted 'moderate spells of rain' in Mumbai and its suburbs.

For Friday, the IMD has issued a 'green' alert for Mumbai, predicting moderate rainfall.

"Light to moderate rainfall is likely in city and suburbs today," said Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Saturday.

A high tide of about 4.76 metres is expected to hit Mumbai at 2.38 pm today, stated Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body also said that a low tide of about 0.78 metres is expected at 8.50 pm today.

The island city, eastern and western suburbs received an average rainfall of 3.25 mm, 5.32 mm and 4.10 mm respectively in 24 hours ending at 8 am, the civic body's data showed.

Meanwhile, India is expected to record normal rainfall during the second half of the monsoon season following excess precipitation in July, even as El Nino and other unfavourable conditions may suppress rain in August, the IMD said on July 31.

August accounts for around 30 per cent of the precipitation during the monsoon season.

Although El Nino, the warming of waters in the Pacific Ocean near South America, has not impacted the monsoon performance so far, its influence is likely to be visible in the second phase (August-September period) of the monsoon, scientists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

El Nino is generally associated with weakening monsoon winds and dry weather in India. The IMD had earlier warned that El Nino might affect the second half of the southwest monsoon.

"Though the country is expected to experience normal rainfall in August and September, it is likely to be on the lower side (94 per cent to 99 per cent) of the normal (422.8 mm)," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference.

Rainfall recorded between 94 per cent and 106 per cent of the long-period average (LPA), or 50-year average, is considered normal.

Rainfall in August is predicted to be below normal (less than 94 per cent of LPA), but the situation is expected to improve comparatively in September, the IMD said.

Normal rainfall is critical for India's agricultural landscape, with 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relying on it. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in replenishing reservoirs essential for drinking water and power generation throughout the country.

Rainfed agriculture contributes to approximately 40 per cent of the country's total food production, making it a vital contributor to India's food security and economic stability.

The IMD said normal to above-normal rainfall is very likely over east-central India, east and northeast regions, and most subdivisions along the Himalayas in August and September. The east and northeast regions have received 25 per cent less rainfall this season so far.

Below-normal rainfall is predicted in most parts of peninsular India and western parts of northwest and central India.

(With inputs from PTI)