IMD warns of heavy rains in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar; issues red warning for 3 hours

Residents have been advised to remain alert. File Pic

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday evening issued a red warning for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, forecasting intense spells of rain at isolated places over the next three hours.

The nowcast warning was issued at 4 on Saturday and will remain valid for three hours.

According to the IMD, isolated areas in the three districts are likely to witness intense rainfall during the warning period.

The heavy showers may lead to localised waterlogging, reduced visibility and traffic disruptions.

Residents have been advised to remain alert.

Public advisory

The officials urged people to take necessary precautions during the period of intense rainfall. Motorists are advised to drive carefully, while residents should avoid unnecessary travel to flood-prone areas and stay away from waterlogged roads and open drains.

Heavy rains in Mumbai

Meanwhile, the IMD had earlier in the day issued an alert for Mumbai and its neighbouring districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in isolated places.

The advisory, issued at 12:30 pm, covers Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and adjoining areas as intense monsoon showers continue to lash the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The red alert comes amid intense spells of rain since the early hours of Saturday, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion and disruptions in several parts of Mumbai and its suburbs. Civic authorities have urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary and avoid venturing into low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Heavy rainfall recorded across Mumbai

As per the official data from the BMC, several weather stations across Mumbai recorded significant rainfall between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm on Saturday.

The highest rainfall was recorded at Vikhroli, which received 164 mm, followed by:

Ram Mandir - 148.5 mm

Santacruz - 126.9 mm

Vidyavihar - 102 mm

Bandra - 72.5 mm

Sion - 63.5 mm

Colaba - 53.4 mm

Byculla - 34.5 mm

Eastern suburbs receive heaviest rain

Rainfall data released by the BMC amid heavy rains noted that Mumbai's eastern suburbs bore the brunt of the downpour between 8 am and 2 pm:

Eastern Suburbs: 118 mm

Western Suburbs: 99 mm

Island City: 42 mm