Rain in Mumbai: Weather office has predicted "heavy to very heavy" rainfall(File image)
All schools and junior colleges in Mumbai will remain closed today after the weather office forecast "extremely heavy rainfall" over the next 48 hours, the government said. The weather office has issued a red alert--indicating "extremely heavy rainfall"--for Mumbai and neighbouring Raigad, news agency PTI reported quoting weather officials. Education minister Ashish Shelar on Wednesday took to Twitter and announced the Maharashtra government's decision to declare a holiday for schools and junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan region in view of the red alert. "In view of heavy rainfall forecasts. As a precautionary measure, holiday is declared for all schools & junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane, Konkan region for today 19 Sep 2019. District collectors in other parts of Maharashtra to decide, based on local conditions," Ashish Shelar tweeted.
Here are the highlights of Mumbai rain:
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a red rain alert, indicating "extremely heavy rainfall", for Mumbai and Raigad districts.
The irregular heating and cooling of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal pushed cloud precipitation in Mumbai to a new high, with the city recording its wettest monsoon season
this year since 1954.
"The state capital has received total 3,467 mm rain from June 1 till September 17, surpassing the 3,451 mm downpour recorded in 1954. With 11 days more to go this month, the city will get a record rainfall figure by then," IMD official said.
No rainfall in Mumbai till Thursday afternoon- With the weather department issuing a "red alert" for rain in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the city on Thursday.
- People were geared up to tackle the high rainfall situation as the weather office had forecast "very high rainfall" in Mumbai and suburbs. However, till afternoon, Mumbai hardly received any showers.
- The irregular heating and cooling of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal pushed cloud precipitation in Mumbai to a new high, with the city recording its wettest monsoon season this year since 1954.
- When contacted, an Indian Meterological Department (IMD) official said, "This year there has been continuous depression over Madhya Pradesh at regular intervals, which increased the overall rainfall in Mumbai and neighbouring districts."
- A high tide of 3.89 metres is expected at 2.29 pm and officials hope there will be a break in rainfall around that time.
- Mumbai's unique drainage system sees gates shut at high tide to prevent sea water entering the city, which depends on artificial pumps at this time.
- Heavy rains coinciding at high tide usually spells trouble for the nation's financial capital.
Suburbs receive heavy rain on Wednesday night- Mumbai suburbs received heavy rain on Wednesday night. Versova recorded 50 mm in three hours, according to KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director-General (Meteorology), IMD Mumbai.
- In addition, Palghar and Thane regions are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Alerts have been sounded in those areas with district administrations keeping a close watch, especially on low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.
BMC urges people of Mumbai to be careful- "Heavy rainfall today & extremely Heavy Rainfall warning in Mumbai City & Suburbs for the next 24 hrs, issued by #IMD . We request #Mumbaikars to avoid venturing around the sea & into water logged areas. Please take care and be careful. For any assistance #Dial1916," the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) tweeted.
- Mumbai may record its highest rainfall for the entire monsoon season this year, with the highest seasonal rainfall record being at 3759.7 mm in 1958.
- This year it has already rained 3475.2 mm and there is still two more weeks of monsoon before this season ends.
- The weather department has issued an alert of heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs.
- Mumbai will also surpass its previous September rainfall record today with 5mm more rainfall required to break the highest all time September rainfall recorded since 1954 which was 920 mm.
- It has already rained 915 mm this September.
- Monsoon was delayed by 15 days this June.
- Three NDRF teams are on standby and railway traffic is normal at the moment.
- Weather office forecast at 08:00 hours: It is generally cloudy with possibility of moderate rain.
- Heavy rainfall likely at isolated places in Mumbai and its suburbs
- Today's high tide will be at 14:32 hours and it will be of 3.83 meters, low tide will be at 20:28 hours and it will be of 0.98 meters
BMC asks people to be careful- BMC requests Mumbaikars to avoid venturing around the sea and into water logged areas.
- All schools and junior colleges in Mumbai will remain closed today after the weather office forecast "extremely heavy rainfall" over the next 48 hours, the government said.
- The weather office has issued a red alert--indicating "extremely heavy rainfall"--for Mumbai and neighbouring Raigad, news agency PTI reported quoting weather officials.
- "In view of heavy rainfall forecasts, a holiday is declared for all schools & junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan region today. District collectors in other parts of Maharashtra to decide, based on local conditions," Maharashtra Minister of School Education Ashish Shelar tweeted.
- Mumbai's suburbs received heavy rain on Wednesday night. Versova recorded 50 mm rain within three hours, KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD, Mumbai said.
- Apart from Mumbai, Palghar and Thane are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain.
- Mumbai has received heavy rain this monsoon, leading to delayed flights, traffic jams and flooding of homes.
- The city's streets regularly flood during the monsoon, which runs from June until September or October, and which provides India with most of its annual rainfall.
- Almost every monsoon, Mumbai struggles to cope with the chaos caused by the rain. The suburban trains - the city's lifeline - are affected and low-lying areas get flooded.