Tardy monsoon makes this wettest-ever July for Mumbai

Despite witnessing the most delayed onset of the monsoon this year, Mumbai recorded the highest rainfall ever (since being recorded) for the month of July, meteorologists said on Wednesday. This year the city recorded the second fastest 2,000 mm rainfall since its onset. BMC chief I S Chahal has declared a holiday for primary, secondary and higher secondary schools and for colleges in the city.

According to BMC, the India Meteorological Department (Mumbai) has issued Extremely Heavy Rainfall Warning (Red Alert) for Mumbai City and suburbs till Thursday afternoon. In view of this, considering the safety of students, Municipal Commissioner Chahal has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai City and Suburbs on Thursday.

The Andheri Subway was closed for the third time in seven days

The BMC has requested citizens to stay alert and indoors if possible. The IMD has issued a red alert for Mumbai and adjoining areas for July 27. Meanwhile, a few districts including Ratnagiri, Pune, Satara, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur remain on red alert. Tuesday, July 25, marked one month since the onset of the monsoon over Mumbai and adjoining areas adding it to the list of the most delayed onset of the season. The official onset date of the monsoon over Mumbai is June 11. In the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, the IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded rainfall of 86 mm, while Colaba recorded 45 mm. Between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Wednesday the Santacruz observatory recorded 78.9 mm of rain, while the Colaba observatory saw 109 mm.

Waterlogging

As a result of the downpour, several roads witnessed waterlogging and traffic had to be diverted. Traffic was diverted to SV Road after the Andheri Subway was closed at 3.30 pm for the third time in seven days. The subway was also closed on July 21 and 22. There were also complaints of water logging near the Sion signal, on the road outside Kurla railway station (West) and between Aarey market and Royal Palms. Evening traffic had to be diverted from Aarey Colony Unit VII, Veera Desai Road (Andheri West), Kamani (Kurla West) Lal Bahadur Shastri Road as these areas witnessed waterlogging. As per BMC records, there were also complaints of 12 tree falls in Mumbai - three in the city, seven in the western suburbs and two in the eastern suburbs.

From July 1 to July 26 (up to 5.30 pm) IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a rainfall of 1,512.7 mm, whereas 1,080 mm was recorded at Colaba during the same period. In 2022, 1,244 mm rainfall was recorded in July, while in 2019, 1,464.8 mm was recorded and 1,468.5mm during the month of 2014. The highest record for the month, however, was set in 2020 with 1,502.6mm of rain. This was surpassed on Wednesday.

2,000 mm rain!

Mumbai recorded 2,015 mm rainfall at the Santacruz observatory from June 1 to July 26 (up to 2.30 pm), crossing the benchmark in 56 days on July 26. In 2021, the city received a total 2,000 mm of rainfall on July 22, in 52 days since its onset. The year 1965 saw the third-fastest record - 2,000 mm after 60 days on July 30, followed by 61 days in 2005 when the benchmark was crossed on July 31. Thane city has received a total of 2002.81 mm of rainfall so far.

Weather system

"Amidst doubts of a poor monsoon, the beginning for Mumbai has been good. However, we are not very optimistic about August because later in the month, the El Nino phenomenon is likely to develop and might affect the intensity of the Indian monsoon to some extent in the central parts and southern peninsular region of the country. Considering this, there is a possibility that even the normal August rainfall for Mumbai and adjoining areas may be affected," said Rajesh Kapadia of private weather blog Vagaries of the Weather.

According to Kapadia, on Thursday the rain could be of less intensity as compared to what the city witnessed on Wednesday. "Also, starting Friday and through the weekend, there will be a marked decrease in the rain intensity and frequency with on and off sunny intervals," Kapadia said.

2,015mm
Rainfall received till 2 pm on Wednesday

12
No of complaints about tree falls