Mumbai weather updates: IMD issues red alert, heavy rains disrupt traffic and trains

Pic/Satej Shinde

Mumbai and its suburbs witnessed persistent rainfall on Monday (August 18), prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for Mumbai, adjoining suburbs, and Raigad till 12 pm. The forecast indicates moderate to heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs, with the possibility of very heavy showers accompanied by gusty winds towards night.

Several areas reported waterlogging and traffic congestion during peak morning hours, adding to the city's monsoon woes. According to tide data, Mumbai will witness a high tide at 6:51 pm measuring 3.08 meters. On August 19, a low tide is expected at 1:56 am at 1.22 meters, followed by a high tide at 9:16 am at 3.75 meters, and another low tide at 3:16 pm at 2.22 meters.

Suburban train services were also affected due to the rains. On the Western Railway line, Churchgate-bound fast trains were delayed by two minutes and slow trains by one minute, while Virar-bound fast trains were two minutes late and slow services ran on time. On the Central Railway line, Kalyan fast trains were delayed by ten minutes and slow trains by four minutes, while CSMT fast trains were running eight minutes late and slow services by nine minutes. On the Harbour line, CSMT services were delayed by ten minutes, while Panvel services were behind schedule by four minutes.

The IMD has urged citizens to remain cautious and avoid venturing into waterlogged areas.

Meanwhile, the water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 91.18 per cent.

As per the BMC on Monday (August 18), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 13,19,640 million litres, which amounts to 90.68 per cent of their total capacity.

The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes.

Of these, Tansa has 98.81 per cent water stock, Modak Sagar 86.61 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 97.34 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 87.13 per cent, Bhatsa 89.82 per cent, Vehar 95.16 per cent and Tulsi 100 per cent.

Lower (Modak Sagar), Middle and Upper Vaitarna lakes, along with Tansa, supply water to the western suburbs from Dahisar Check Naka to Bandra and to the western parts of the city from Mahim to Malabar Hill.

Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system. Water from this system is treated at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant and distributed to the eastern parts of Mumbai, covering the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and further to Mazgaon.