Mumbai experienced intense rainfall late Sunday night, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue red and orange alerts for several areas in the city and its suburbs. The downpour led to widespread waterlogging, significantly affecting traffic movement across key routes.
Around 3 AM on Monday, the IMD updated its forecast on X (formerly Twitter), stating that “light to moderate spells of rainfall are likely to continue over Mumbai and its suburbs for the next 3–4 hours.”
For Monday, the weather forecast predicts a generally cloudy sky with heavy rain. Temperatures are expected to range between 24°C (minimum) and 31°C (maximum). According to the weekly forecast, Mumbai is likely to experience consistent rainfall throughout the week.
Weather Systems and Regional Impact
The IMD reported a well-marked low-pressure area situated over south Madhya Maharashtra and adjacent regions of Marathwada and North Interior Karnataka as of Sunday, May 25. This system is expected to move eastward over the next 24 hours and gradually weaken.
From May 25 to 27, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across Konkan and Goa, as well as Madhya Maharashtra.
An orange alert has been issued for the Madhya Maharashtra region for Monday, warning of very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. In Mumbai, eight weather stations are under a red alert—Borivali, Santacruz, Powai, Mulund, Chembur, Worli, Colaba, and Alibag. Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan are under an orange alert.
In neighboring districts, Raigad is on red alert, with forecasts of moderate thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong surface winds. Thane and Palghar remain under orange alert.
Early Monsoon Arrival in Maharashtra
In a rare development, the southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday—its earliest onset in 35 years, according to the IMD. The monsoon is expected to reach Mumbai and other parts of the state within the next three days.
The last time the monsoon arrived this early was on May 20, 1999. Kerala, too, witnessed an early onset this year, with the monsoon reaching the state on Saturday—almost a week ahead of the typical June 1 timeline.
Former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and monsoon expert, M Rajeevan, noted that such early and widespread monsoon activity is not without precedent. “In 1971, the monsoon had already covered parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra at the time of onset,” he said. “Current active monsoon conditions are likely to persist at least until June 2, aiding its advance across Maharashtra and into eastern India.”
