Mumbai Gets Respite from Heavy Rains, But IMD Issues Red Alert for More Showers Today

Mumbai, May 27 : After a day of relentless rainfall that inundated streets and disrupted daily life, Mumbai woke up to a relatively calmer Tuesday morning. Light showers and a cool breeze offered a brief respite to residents, with early morning walkers seen enjoying the improved weather at Marine Drive under overcast skies and a gentle drizzle.

Despite overnight rain, there were no immediate reports of waterlogging across the city—a welcome relief for commuters and office-goers. Mumbai’s lifeline—the suburban rail network on the Central, Western, and Harbour lines—operated without delays, ensuring smooth travel during peak morning hours.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, forecasting further heavy to very heavy rainfall through the day. Civic authorities remain on high alert, urging citizens to remain indoors where possible and avoid venturing out during intense spells, particularly during peak traffic hours.

The red alert applies to eight major zones within Mumbai and its immediate suburbs: Borivali, Santacruz, Powai, Mulund, Chembur, Worli, Colaba, and Alibaug. Neighbouring regions including Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Kalyan are under an orange alert, anticipating heavy showers throughout the day.

Monday’s downpour, one of the season's heaviest so far, led to waterlogged roads, traffic bottlenecks, and disruption of public transport. The civic administration, along with disaster response teams, sprang into action, addressing flooding hotspots and ensuring critical services remained functional.

This wave of early monsoon showers comes on the heels of an unusual seasonal development—the earliest monsoon onset in Mumbai in over a decade. The IMD confirmed the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon 2025 on May 26, significantly ahead of the typical June 11 onset. Historical data shows only three previous years—1956, 1962, and 1971—when the monsoon arrived as early as May 29.

In anticipation of the monsoon’s early arrival, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had accelerated pre-monsoon preparedness, inspecting drainage systems, clearing clogged nullahs, and deploying emergency response teams across vulnerable areas.

As the city braces for more rain, the administration continues to monitor the situation closely. Citizens are advised to check weather updates, avoid low-lying areas during downpours, and report any emergency to the civic helpline for swift response.