Rain brings brief relief; monsoon likely by June 23

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad for the next three days, forecasting moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places.

Mumbai: Light to moderate rain lashed parts of Mumbai on Sunday morning, offering respite from the sweltering heat even as the city continues to grapple with an acute water shortage. With reservoir levels at just 8.68% of capacity, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an increase in rainfall activity from Monday and said the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Mumbai by June 23.

iiMumbai, India - June 21, 2026: People make their way through a light drizzle along Juhu Beach in mumbai, India, on Sunday, June 21, 2026. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad for the next three days, forecasting moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places.

An IMD scientist, requesting anonymity, clarified that Sunday’s showers were a localised weather event and not the formal onset of the southwest monsoon.

“High humidity over the city led to cloud formation. The prevailing heat helped the atmosphere hold large amounts of moisture, which then released as showers,” the scientist said.

The official said the rain resembled pre-monsoon activity rather than widespread monsoon showers. “We expect the monsoon to arrive in Mumbai by June 23,” the scientist added.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, Ramabai Municipal School in Ghatkopar recorded the highest rainfall between 6 am and 7 am at 24 mm, followed by Chembur Fire Station, 20 mm and Mankhurd Fire Station, 16 mm.

The showers come at a crucial time for Mumbai, where delayed monsoon rains have pushed reservoir levels to worrying lows. A recent citywide water tanker strike further exposed the vulnerability of the city’s water supply, disrupting deliveries to housing societies, commercial establishments and construction sites.

BMC data released on Sunday showed that the combined water stock in the seven reservoirs stood at 125,585 million litres, representing just 8.68% of their total storage capacity of 1,447,363 million litres, significantly lower than the 25.87% storage recorded last year.

Among the reservoirs, Upper Vaitarna has already run dry. Modak Sagar is at 23.8% of capacity, while Bhatsa, Mumbai’s largest source of drinking water, is at just 7.99%.

Hydraulic engineer Dileep Patil said Sunday’s rainfall was unlikely to significantly improve water levels.

“The first light shower does not have much effect on the catchment areas as the water gets absorbed due to prevailing humidity. The second spell of rain will provide a better indication of whether the situation will improve,” Patil said.

To conserve dwindling reserves, the BMC has already imposed a 20% cut in water supply to industrial, commercial and sports establishments while awaiting stronger monsoon activity.

(With inputs from Osama Rawal)