Devotees hold umbrellas in rain as they prepare to immerse an idol of Ganesha in Mumbai.
Prediction of "very heavy rainfall" over the next 48 hours in parts of Mumbai and certain areas in Central Maharashtra was made by the MeT department today.
"A low pressure area has developed which is moving towards the Western side. This will cause very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, along with parts of Central Maharashtra, the Konkan region, Marathwada and Goa as well," IMD Mumbai Director VK Rajeev told PTI.
He said there was no specific weather system that caused a dry spell in the state in the last fortnight. "However, the weather system is likely to change now and we could see resumption of rainfall."
Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed many parts of Mumbai today. An IMD official said Colaba received 20 mm rainfall and Santa Cruz 75.2 mm during 8.30 am to 5.30 pm today.
"Though we cannot give the exact figures, the amount of rainfall in a period of 24 hours that will be available tomorrow morning is likely to go up considerably, given the very heavy rainfall warning we have given for the city," the official said.
In the wake of forecast, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a high tide warning for the city and asked people to stay cautious during Ganesh immersion which is underway.
A high tide of 1.21 meters is expected at 5.13 pm and the next high tide at 11.22 pm, a BMC official said.
Immersion processions in Mumbai typically continue overnight to next day morning.