Heavy rains lash parts of Mumbai as monsoon likely to set in today; IMD issues yellow alert

Parts of Mumbai witnessed heavy rainfall on early Saturday as the Southwest Monsoon, which is already delayed by more than a week, is expected to reach the city today, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the city on June 26-27, indicating heavy rainfall in isolated areas.

On Thursday, the weather department said that monsoon is likely to reach Mumbai by June 24, but a formal announcement is yet to be done. "Conditions are favourable for the monsoon to move further towards Raigad, Thane, Mumbai and Palghar. Monsoon is likely to reach Mumbai by June 24," said IMD Mumbai earlier, as per an ANI report.

Typically, the monsoon officially begins in Mumbai in the second week of June. However, the IMD had last week stated that the Southwest monsoon is in the process of resuming its trajectory post-Cyclone Biparjoy, which has been the longest storm in Arabian Sea.

The delay in monsoon resulted in a rainfall deficit for some of the Southern states, and thus more rainfall is expected as the southwest monsoon continues to make its way across the states, IMD said earlier.

Separately, an IMD official said that the Southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Madhya Pradesh over the weekend, even as 18 districts recorded more than 1.5 inch pre-monsoon showers in just 12 hours ending 8.30 pm on Friday.

"The Southwest monsoon is likely to hit Madhya Pradesh on June 24 or 25. It is expected to set in over state capital Bhopal on June 26 or 27," India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Bhopal director R Balasubramanian told PTI.

By June 29, it is likely to cover the entire state, he said, adding that the rain-bearing system is expected to foray into MP from its eastern side, bordering Chhattisgarh, where the monsoon arrived on Friday.

(With agency inputs)

Also Read: Adipurush box office collection day 8: Prabhas, Kriti Sanon-starrer sees a new low; earns Rs 3.25 cr

Also Read: Monsoon reaches Odisha: Heavy rain alert in Odisha till June 27, SW monsoon to reach Rajasthan next week