Mumbai rains: City drenched but still dry on rainfall target

On Monday, the IMD issued a green alert for Mumbai indicating light to moderate rain over next five days. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

Despite the heavy rain that lashed Mumbai over the past week, the city has received only 47.47 per cent of its annual average rainfall as of July 28 this year, according to data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). From the onset of the southwest monsoon on May 26, until the morning of July 28, the Colaba observatory recorded 957mm of rainfall, amounting to 45.68 per cent of its annual average, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 1297.9 mm, also fulfilling 55.97 per cent of its annual quota.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for three days and a yellow alert for one day during the week of July 21 to July 28. During this period, the Santacruz observatory recorded 385.7 mm of rainfall, while the Colaba observatory recorded 211 mm. Over the past 10 years, Mumbai has received an average annual rainfall of 2639 mm. In the last two years, the city recorded rainfall above the decadal average: in 2024, it received 2865 mm; in 2023, 2702.7 mm. In 2022, the city recorded 2397.1 mm; in 2021, 2749.7 mm; and in 2020, the average rainfall spiked to 3444.7 mm.

July is the wettest month of Mumbai's monsoon. The decadal average for July rainfall is 882 mm at the Colaba observatory and 1168 mm at the Santacruz observatory. Explaining the comparatively low rainfall this monsoon, IMD chief Shubhangi Bhute said, "The overall synoptic situation was not favourable for a good amount of rainfall during the beginning of the monsoon, but it has picked up pace relatively." On Monday, the IMD issued a green alert for Mumbai, indicating light to moderate rain over the next five days.

1297.9 mm
Rainfall recorded at Santacruz observatory till July 28

2639 mm
Average rainfall in Mumbai over the last decade