Heavy Rains Strike Mumbai as IMD Issues Alerts for Flooding

Heavy rains have hit Mumbai over the weekend, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for Monday. This warning indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas across the city. On Saturday night and Sunday, parts of Mumbai, particularly in the southern region, experienced significant downpours, leading to concerns about flooding and transportation disruptions.

By Sunday afternoon, the IMD upgraded its alert to a red status for Mumbai and several coastal districts in Maharashtra, including Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. This alert signifies extremely heavy rainfall, with expectations of thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds reaching between 40 to 59 km/h.

Between 08:00 on Saturday and 17:30 on Sunday, the IMD’s Colaba observatory recorded a total of 214 millimeters of rainfall. Of this, 120.8 mm fell from 08:00 on Saturday to 08:00 on Sunday, while an additional 93.2 mm was recorded between 08:30 and 17:30 on Sunday.

Rainfall Statistics and Historical Context

The rainfall captured by the Colaba observatory during these 33 hours equates to approximately 45.42 percent of the annual average rainfall recorded over the past decade. From 2014 to 2024, the observatory logged an average of 469 mm of rainfall in September, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 557 mm for the same period. For the current month, the Colaba and Santacruz observatories have reported around 488 mm and 531 mm of rainfall, respectively.

Typically, September contributes about 19 percent of the annual rainfall in Mumbai. This year, the Colaba observatory has already surpassed its annual average rainfall, having recorded 102.34 percent of the expected total. With an annual average of 2,095 mm, Colaba has received 2,144 mm of rainfall to date. The Santacruz observatory has fared even worse, recording 130.35 percent of its annual average with 3,022.9 mm against an average of 2,319 mm.

Weather Forecast and Alerts

Looking ahead, the IMD has issued several alerts for the upcoming days. On Monday, the orange alert remains in effect for Mumbai and nearby coastal districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. On Tuesday, a yellow alert will be in place, indicating heavy rainfall for Mumbai and adjacent districts, including Palghar, Thane, Sindhudurg, Raigad, and Ratnagiri. By Wednesday, the alert will downgrade to green for Mumbai and the coastal districts.

The areas that received the highest rainfall between 08:00 and 17:00 on Sunday include:

– Colaba Fire Station: 103.20 mm
– Dindoshi Fire Station: 102.40 mm
– Chincholi Fire Station: 100.82 mm
– Borivali Fire Station: 97.20 mm
– Byculla Fire Station: 95.24 mm

Overall, the rainfall figures for this year have significantly exceeded historical averages. As of September 27, 2025, the total rainfall recorded at Colaba stands at 2,144 mm, or 102.34 percent of its annual average. Conversely, Santacruz has reported 3,022.9 mm, translating to 130.35 percent of its annual average.

As heavy rains continue to affect Mumbai, residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for potential flooding and disruptions in transportation. The IMD’s alerts serve as a critical reminder of the need for readiness during the monsoon season.