Mumbai's Unrelenting Monsoon: A City Bathed, And Warned, Again

And just like that, the monsoon has truly arrived, settling over Mumbai with a tenacious grip that few had perhaps quite anticipated. The city, known for its dramatic seasonal shifts, is once more under a veritable deluge, prompting authorities to take swift action. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), for its part, didn't hesitate; they've already pushed that yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar right through Tuesday, June 18. A clear signal, wouldn't you say, that we're in for a wet spell.

Since Thursday, the city has been, well, simply drenched. Think about it: Colaba, ever the stalwart, registered a rather impressive 121 mm of rain over just 24 hours, while Santacruz, not far behind, saw 91.8 mm tumble from the skies. But it's not just the city proper feeling the deluge; Thane, Palghar, and Raigad also got their fair share, each logging rainfall numbers that definitely stand out – 97.7 mm, 87 mm, and 90.5 mm respectively. Quite a lot, wouldn't you agree?

Now, if you're hoping for a respite, hold on a moment. The IMD is pretty clear: heavy rainfall, it says, is set to continue, particularly through Saturday and Sunday. We're talking about isolated heavy downpours, even thunderstorms, not just for Mumbai but across the Konkan region, Goa, and indeed, parts of Madhya Maharashtra. Come Monday and Tuesday, the intensity might just – might just, mind you – ease up a tad, shifting to more moderate showers. But rain, in some form, is definitely staying put.

And a stern word for the fisherfolk, too – a crucial detail, this. They've been strongly advised to steer clear of the Maharashtra-Goa coast, specifically from June 14 to 18. Why? Well, those rough sea conditions, those high waves and strong winds, they’re no joke. It's a reminder, if ever one were needed, of the sheer power of the monsoon.

Truth be told, the monsoon's grip seems to be tightening its hold not just here, but further afield. The IMD, with its vast network of observations, is predicting a notable strengthening of this seasonal deluge over central India, including our very own Maharashtra and Goa, as the week unfolds. So, what we're experiencing now? It might just be a prelude, a curtain-raiser, to something even more significant.

Interestingly, despite all this downpour, the national picture tells a slightly different story, at least for now. Overall, India has seen about 20% less rainfall than normal since June 1. Yet, the monsoon itself is progressing quite admirably, forging ahead as it should. Here in Mumbai, for what it’s worth, the total rainfall since the first of June now stands at 153.2 mm for Colaba and 104.9 mm for Santacruz. To put that into perspective, last year, during this very same period, those numbers were a mere 14.8 mm and 29.8 mm respectively. A stark difference, wouldn’t you say? Almost a deluge by comparison.

On Friday, the BMC's records, those meticulous urban diaries, showed Colaba receiving 22.89 mm and Santacruz 28.52 mm between morning and early evening. Thankfully, and this is always a relief, there haven't been any major reports of widespread waterlogging or crippling traffic snarls that often accompany such rains, not on Friday at least. Though, if we’re being honest, BEST buses did have to be rerouted on Thursday, which is a common enough occurrence, but still, a minor disruption. A poignant, and deeply sad, note did emerge from Palghar, though: one rain-related fatality, tragically due to an electric shock. A sober reminder, truly, of the dangers that these beautiful, life-giving rains can also bring.