IMD Issues Orange and Red Alerts as Heavy Rains: The monsoon has made its presence felt across Maharashtra with a vengeance. On Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an ‘Orange’ alert for several key districts, including Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, warning of very heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, a more severe ‘Red’ alert was sounded for Raigad and the ghat areas of Pune and Satara, signaling the possibility of extremely heavy downpours over the next 24 hours.
These warnings are part of the IMD’s district-wise weather forecast issued on Monday afternoon, which covers rainfall activity till 8:30 AM on Tuesday. The alerts come amid already intense monsoon showers that have lashed large parts of the state, especially coastal and ghat regions.
Understanding the Alerts
An Orange Alert urges local authorities to “be prepared to take action”, typically indicating heavy to very heavy rain that could cause disruptions. On the other hand, a Red Alert signifies the need to “take action”, pointing to potential life-threatening weather conditions like landslides, flash floods, or widespread waterlogging.
The Orange Alert currently covers Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg in the Konkan region, and Amravati, Bhandara, Gondia, and Nagpur in Vidarbha.
Mumbai’s Monday Mayhem
Mumbai woke up to relentless rains that began early Monday, flooding several low-lying areas and bringing the city to a crawl. The downpour threw the city’s already fragile transportation system into disarray.
Suburban train services experienced significant delays, and Mumbai Metro’s Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova line faced a temporary disruption after a plastic sheet flew onto the overhead electric wires near Azad Nagar station.
“Train services are back to normal. A plastic sheet from a nearby construction site got entangled with the overhead wires due to heavy wind,” clarified Mumbai Metro One via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
As per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the island city recorded an average rainfall of 95 mm in 24 hours ending at 8 AM Monday. The eastern suburbs received 58 mm and the western suburbs 75 mm in the same period.
Tide and Flood Threat Looms
Along with heavy rain, Mumbai is bracing for dangerously high tides. According to civic data, the city will witness a 4.21-metre high tide at 3:31 PM Monday and another 3.44-metre high tide at 3:31 AM Tuesday. These high tides, combined with continued rainfall, raise the risk of severe waterlogging and flooding.
Low tide timings include 9:41 PM Monday (1.86 metres) and 9:10 AM Tuesday (1.33 metres), offering brief windows for natural drainage.
Konkan Bears the Brunt
The Konkan region has been soaking under continuous rainfall for the past several days. Rising river levels have already triggered flood-like situations in several districts. Villages and towns located near rivers are facing inundation, and rescue operations may be required if rainfall continues unabated.
IMD’s Five-Day Forecast
The IMD has emphasized that Raigad and the ghat zones of Pune and Satara could receive extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. This could lead to landslides, flash floods, and traffic blockades, especially in hilly areas. The weather office has also warned of localized flooding in urban zones like Mumbai, urging residents to stay indoors unless necessary.
Precaution Advised
Authorities have been put on high alert. Disaster management teams have been asked to remain ready for emergencies, and residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas are being urged to evacuate if needed.
If you’re in an affected region:
- Avoid venturing out during heavy rain
- Stay updated with IMD and civic body alerts
- Refrain from parking or walking near flood-prone zones
- Keep emergency kits ready
The Southwest Monsoon is now in full swing across Maharashtra, and while the rain offers respite from the summer heat, its intensity is becoming a concern. With weather alerts escalating, caution, preparedness, and timely response are key to minimizing damage and ensuring public safety.
