Mumbai recorded 131.4 mm rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in the city and Thane on Wednesday. The city has received 108.1% of its annual average rainfall this monsoon.
The city has been receiving heavy rainfall since Monday, the day that marked the arrival of Ganapati idols on Ganesh Chaturthi. From 8.30 a.m. on Monday to 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded 131.4 mm rainfall. The rainfall recorded at the observatory is considered the average for the entire city.
The Colaba observatory recorded 80 mm rainfall. The metropolitan region received more rain than Mumbai with Thane recording 190 mm, Uran 170 mm and Alibaug 130 mm (all figures up to 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday).
Between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., the rainfall received in the suburbs was less than what Mumbai received. The Colaba observatory recorded 45.4 mm rainfall, while Santacruz recorded 29.8 mm.
Since June 1, Mumbai has recorded 2,717.7 mm rainfall, 788 mm above normal. Even the Colaba observatory’s figure is close to breaching the 2,000 mm mark as it stood at 1,966.6 mm on Tuesday. Mumbai has even crossed its annual average rainfall mark of 2,514 mm. The all-time record of highest 24-hour rain for September stands at 318.2 mm (September 23, 1981).
Waterlogging in city
Heavy rain led to waterlogging in several areas, including Hindmata junction, Road no. 24 in Sion, Gandhi market, and National College in Bandra. Other areas that faced waterlogging were Antop Hill, Shell Colony Chembur, Deonar, Tilak Nagar, and Milan subway. The BEST buses on these routes had to be diverted. One person died of electrocution in Shivaji Nagar and 23 incidents of ‘short circuit’ were recorded.
Nihal Tambe (18), an electrician, was working at Plot no. 43 on road no. 6 in Shivaji Nagar near his house at 8 p.m. on Monday, when he got electrocuted. He was taken to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar (East) by his uncle, where he was declared dead on arrival. An accidental death report has been filed and the Public Works Department has initiated an inquiry into the incident.
The IMD has forecast an intense spell of rain on Konkan coast and central Maharashtra over the next five days. Private forecaster Skymet has said the monsoon will be active over Mumbai in the next 48 hours. Skymet, in a statement on its website, said, “We expect a few on and off moderate spells to continue with isolated heavy spells over some pockets of Mumbai and its suburbs. These rains might lead to waterlogging and traffic disruptions. These on and off rains are expected to continue at least for the next 48 hours. These rains might bring relief as the city is receiving rains after a prolonged spell of dry and sultry weather. Now, the temperatures are set to fall and weather will be pleasant.”
On Tuesday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius.
The rain did not affect the immersions of Ganapati idols. Up to 6 p.m., 20 sarvajanik and 9,077 household idols had been immersed. Uday Salian, the trustee of Andhericha Raja said, “Normally, we see devotees queuing up from 4 p.m, onwards. On Monday, we saw long queues of devotees despite the rain. But on Tuesday, there were fewer people.”
The total water stock in the seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai now stands at 98.02% as compared to 96.01% this time last year.
