Mumbai on heavy rain alert after Pune landslides; Delhi set for monsoon revival

Mumbai and several parts of Maharashtra are set to receive intense rainfall over the next few days, while Delhi is expected to see a gradual increase in monsoon activity after a relatively weak start to the season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Heavy rain alert for Mumbai

The IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall between July 4 and July 6 for Mumbai, along with Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected in the ghat regions of Satara, Pune and Nashik districts.

Authorities have warned that the downpour could disrupt transport and lead to localized flooding and structural damage. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, particularly while travelling through low-lying areas and ghat roads.

The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Department has urged people to stay alert and contact emergency services if required.

Over the next 24 hours, Mumbai and its suburbs are likely to witness widespread rainfall, with isolated areas expected to receive extremely heavy showers. The IMD has also forecast occasional gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph.

In its 48-hour outlook, the weather office said heavy to very heavy rainfall would continue across the city and suburbs, with the possibility of extremely heavy rain at isolated locations.

Monsoon expected to strengthen over Delhi

In the national capital, monsoon activity is expected to pick up from Sunday after remaining subdued during its initial phase.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Saturday, forecasting generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of very light to light rain. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph, are also likely.

Meteorologists attribute the delayed strengthening of the monsoon over Delhi and north India to weather systems currently active over central India.

Mahesh Palawat, president of Skymet Weather, said moisture has been concentrated over western and central parts of the country because of a low-pressure trough.

“This low-pressure trough in central India has led to moisture being concentrated over states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. As the system weakens around July 5 and 6, rainfall activity is expected to increase over Delhi,” he said.

Light rain and thunderstorms likely

The IMD said Delhi residents can expect cloudy conditions with light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds during the afternoon and evening on Saturday, with similar weather likely to persist over the following few days.

The forecast indicates light to moderate rainfall on Sunday morning, followed by another spell later in the day. Thunderstorms, lightning and winds gusting up to 60 kmph are also expected.

Cloudy skies and intermittent rain are likely to continue through Monday and Tuesday as monsoon conditions strengthen across the capital.