Mumbai rain highlights: Mumbai gets respite after 2 days; landslide in Ratnagiri

Mumbai rain LIVE: El Nino, the recurrent weather pattern that drives up global temperatures, and climate change cannot be viewed independently as one is delaying the rains and the other intensifying them, according to climate experts.

A rapidly strengthening El Nino in the Pacific delayed the onset of the monsoon and kept rainfall subdued through June, leaving India with a 40 per cent rainfall deficit by the end of the month. Yet, within days, the scenario changed dramatically. As the monsoon entered an active phase by the end of June, Mumbai and large parts of India's West Coast were battered by exceptionally intense rainfall.

Experts say the new reality that climate change is fundamentally altering the behaviour of the Indian monsoon.

"Monsoon is presently in an active phase, with several weather systems prevailing across the country. There was a depression over Odisha and a cyclonic circulation over Maharashtra, keeping the western and eastern arms of monsoon active," said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President - Meteorology and Climate Change, Skymet Weather.

"Along with this, continuous moisture feed from the Arabian Sea led to continuous regeneration of clouds over Maharashtra in the last three-four days, leading to heavy rainfall," Palawat said.

Raghu Murtugudde, Emeritus Professor, University of Maryland and retired professor, IIT-Mumbai, explained that Mumbai saw delayed onset of monsoon which is partly explainable by El Nino.

"But the global warming pattern of warm Western Asia and shifted Arabian Sea winds have kicked in as expected. Lots of winds as well, which is part of the larger heavy rain over the core monsoon zone. Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are both feeding heavy rain in the interior. El Nino just cannot be separated from global warming anymore.

"Both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are active, and a low-pressure system is also starting from the Bay of Bengal. When this happens and both sides fire up, the core monsoon zone gets heavy rain and that moisture supply also goes over Mumbai. Western Ghats force air to climb, so Mumbai gets lots of rain," Murtugudde said.

While three-digit rainfall in Mumbai and places along the West Coast are common during the monsoon season, meteorologists suggest that there has been a significant rise in such deluge-like spells during July and August across Maharashtra, Gujarat, South Rajasthan and Southwest Madhya Pradesh.

Scientists emphasise that El Nino and climate change can no longer be viewed independently.

While El Nino influences monsoon circulation and often reduces the number of rainy days, record warming of the Arabian Sea and changing atmospheric circulation are increasing moisture availability, allowing weather systems to produce much heavier rainfall once conditions become favourable.

"El Nino is delaying the rains while climate change is intensifying them. Monsoon dynamics have changed over the last few years, which can be directly linked with climate change. Weather systems forming in the Bay of Bengal have been travelling in the west direction, instead of northwest.

"Additionally, there has been a rise in the moisture loading from the Arabian Sea due to the record-setting ocean warming. This leads to continuous regeneration of clouds over the region in the presence of a weather system," Palawat said.

K J Ramesh, Former Director General, India Meteorological Department, explained that during El Nino years, the number of rainy days is less.

"But we know that the character of the monsoon has changed forever due to global warming. Rains will be in the form of short duration and high intensity, whether there is an El Nino or no El Nino. Climate change-induced anomalies can be witnessed in how rainfall patterns have changed across northwestern parts of the country.

"These days we see ample rains across Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Madhya Pradesh due to Western Disturbances and their allied systems. We all know that these Western Disturbances are not able to drive the rainfall alone in these regions, but an increased moisture feed from the Arabian Sea has changed rainfall patterns across these areas," he said.

(PTI)

Jharkhand rainfall LIVE: The intensity of rainfall in Jharkhand is likely to weaken from Wednesday, with no warning of heavy downpour during the next two to three days, an IMD official said.

The maximum temperature may also rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius from Thursday, he said.

"Rainfall intensity is expected to weaken from Wednesday. There is no warning of heavy rain during the next two-three days," said Deputy Director at Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand.

Meanwhile, the state's rainfall deficit has come down to 32 per cent on Tuesday from 45 per cent in the past two days, amid widespread rainfall across Jharkhand.

The rainfall deficit reduced by 10 per cent during the past 24 hours and is likely to come down further, he said.

"Jharkhand's rainfall deficit, which was at 45 per cent on July 5 and 42 per cent on Monday, came down to 32 per cent on Tuesday, due to widespread rainfall along with spells of heavy rain in parts of the state under the influence of a depression," Anand said.

The state has received 172.5mm rainfall against the normal of 255.3 mm between June 1 and July 7.

"In the past 24 hours, the rainfall deficiency has reduced by 10 per cent. This activity has raised hopes of farmers. They can now begin their sowing work," Anand said.

(PTI)

Karnataka rainfall LIVE: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said he was reviewing the situation in various parts of the state amid the prospect of drought in several regions.

The CM, however, remained non-committal on the demand for a farm loan waiver in view of the drought-like situation, saying, "Let us examine it".

"I have come here to review the drought-like situation. I am meeting people and public representatives. In a couple of days, I will also visit the Belagavi region," Shivakumar told reporters here.

"There is a legal framework for declaring an area drought-affected and for addressing the issues arising out of the situation," he added.

When asked about a farm loan waiver, he said, "How much is the loan, and where? Let us examine it and speak later."

During the visit, people submitted petitions seeking solutions to their problems.

To hear and address such grievances, the government has set up a new 'Praja Seva' Department, which will be headed by a minister.

(PTI)

Mumbai weather LIVE: Heavy rainfall disrupted flight operations in Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday, leading airlines to issue travel advisories warning passengers of possible delays and urging them to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport.

IndiGo said adverse weather conditions over the national capital had impacted flight schedules and that its teams were closely monitoring the situation.

"Bad weather over Delhi has impacted flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly," the airline said in a post on X.

(ANI)

Mumbai weather LIVE: Mumbai’s wettest start to July in decades killed at least 13 people in the city and its adjoining areas and caused widespread disruption for millions of residents, raising questions about the quality of infrastructure in India’s financial hub.

The country’s weather office has so far issued an unprecedented four consecutive ‘red alert’ notifications — the highest weather severity warning — for Mumbai and its adjoining areas over the past seven days. Mumbai and its surroundings recorded heaviest early-monsoon rainfall since at least 2000 despite a delayed onset linked to El Niño conditions.

The city, run by India’s richest municipal authority, faces disruptions every season as its road and water drainage networks fail to cope with monsoon downpours. Heavy rains caused as many as 2,718 deaths and $1.2 billion in losses each year in the decade through 2015, according to a study last year.

“This is a general crisis of urban planning,” said Hussain Indorewala, professor at Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture & Environmental Studies, Mumbai. “Over the past 2-3 decades, we’ve seen that planning is oriented towards the real estate sector,” Indorewala said, adding that only lip service is paid to considerations of storm water drainage, sanitation and environmental conservation.

This spell has been especially severe. Several parts of the city received 200 millimeters to 300 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours, more than twice the volume during a typical heavy monsoon spell. The impact was compounded by roadworks and construction projects across the city as authorities upgrade aging infrastructure. Low-lying neighborhoods such as Andheri, Chembur and Vikhroli were repeatedly inundated, freezing traffic.

(Bloomberg)

Mumbai weather LIVE: The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday advised private offices in Mumbai to allow employees to work from home and announced a half-day for non-essential and semi-government offices in view of the heavy rains, officials said.

The advisory came after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'red' alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds with speeds of 80-90 kmph in the state capital and neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts.

According to the advisory issued by the SDMA on X, private establishments have been asked to permit employees to work from home wherever feasible, while employees of government and semi-government offices, except those engaged in essential services, have been granted a half-day after noon.

Authorities also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, remain indoors unless essential, and follow official advisories as heavy rain continued to affect normal life in Mumbai and adjoining areas.

Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan appealed to people not to step out unless absolutely necessary and urged Opposition parties to refrain from politicising the situation.

People should not venture out today at all. Please do not go out for tourism. We will soon announce the closure of offices, schools and colleges. Please do not venture out," Mahajan told reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan premises.

We can do politics after two days. We want everyone to help and support the government," he said when asked about the Opposition's criticism over the situation following a landslide on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project.

(PTI)

Mumbai weather LIVE: Heavy rain triggers landslide at Kasara ghat in Nashik; disrupts traffic on Mumbai-Nashik highway Ayush Prasad, District Collector told news agency PTI, "The NDMA has issued a red alert for the entire district. According to the meteorological department's forecast, the area is experiencing very heavy rainfall. However, as you know, the low-pressure vortex has shifted. Our bordering talukas situated along the Western Ghats, namely Trimbak and Igatpuri are experiencing intense downpours, with around 200 mm of rainfall expected. We have put comprehensive management and contingency plans in place for every scenario, including flash floods and temporary waterlogging. We are ensuring proper drainage wherever water accumulates. If we look at Trimbak city specifically, there are only two spots where water has collected to some extent, and even there, it is only about 6 inches deep. The municipal corporation has worked incredibly hard on the drainage system, effectively controlling areas that face chronic flooding every year. For the two spots currently affected, we are removing dividers to facilitate the free flow of water. There is absolutely no cause for panic. People have already been evacuated and shifted to safer locations from all high-risk zones."

Mumbai rains LIVE: At least ten people have died amid heavy rain and flood-like situations in Palghar district of Maharashtra since July 1, including three casualties in the last 24 hours, while 1,261 residents have been evacuated and relocated to relief centres, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, district collector Indu Rani Jakhar said the Palghar district recorded an average rainfall of 203 mm (in more than 24 hours) till 10:15 am on Tuesday.

As part of disaster management operations, 389 families comprising 1,261 individuals have been safely evacuated and relocated to institutional relief centres, including schools, churches, and community halls in Palghar, Vasai, and Wada talukas.

To assist local authorities, one team each of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed in Virar.

The continuous downpour has triggered flood-like situations in several pockets, prompting the administration to rescue and relocate people.

"The flood-related incidents have resulted in 10 deaths across the district so far, with three casualties reported in the last 24 hours. Additionally, one person has been reported missing in Dahanu," the collector added.

Rain-related incidents include wall collapse and drownings in nullahs and flooded fields in various parts of Palghar, including Vasai, Talasari, and Dahanu, according to officials.

(PTI)

Mumbai rains LIVE: Trustees of the Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan on Tuesday appealed to warkaris to avoid travelling to Alandi in Pune district for the annual palkhi departure ceremony due to the severe flood situation.

The trustees said the traditional palkhi departure ceremony, scheduled for July 8, will go ahead with only a limited number of participants.

Devotees have been urged to join the procession at a later halt once weather conditions improve, instead of gathering in Alandi for the departure.

Mumbai rains LIVE: The Thane district administration in Maharashtra has banned entry to all tourist destinations, including forts and water bodies, until further notice due to heavy rain forecasts.

Collector Shrikrishna Panchal issued the order under the Disaster Management Act on Monday, prohibiting entry to forts, waterfalls, dams, lakes, and rivers to prevent accidents during the monsoon.

Over the past three days, the district has faced waterlogging, fallen trees, and traffic chaos.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy showers at isolated places, accompanied by strong winds reaching speeds of 70 to 80 kmph in the district.

(PTI)

Mumbai rains LIVE: Torrential rainfall of around 600 mm in just 24 hours triggered multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section on the Mumbai-Pune rail corridor, severely disrupting train services over the past two days, officials said.

Lonavala, the hill station in Pune district, received an extraordinary 670 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 7 am on Monday, according to official data. Across the district, authorities reported 22 landslides over the last two days.

The ghat section had already been battered by nearly 300 mm of rain on Sunday, worsening the situation. According to Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila, nearly 160 mm of rainfall was recorded within the first four hours of Sunday alone, triggering landslides at several vulnerable locations.

The first landslide occurred near Thakurwadi, disrupting all three railway lines in the Bhor Ghat section. Another followed between Monkey Hill and Khandala, affecting rail operations on one of the country's busiest routes.

(PTI)

Mumbai rains LIVE: Following torrential rainfall in Maharashtra's Nashik, the water level of the Godavari River has risen significantly, prompting authorities to deploy security personnel at the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors.

Maharashtra rains LIVE: Torrential rainfall of nearly 600 mm within 24 hours triggered multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune rail corridor, severely disrupting train services over the past two days, officials said.

Lonavala, the popular hill station in Pune district, received an exceptional 670 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 7 am on Monday, according to official data.

The intense downpour also caused widespread damage across Pune district, where officials reported 22 landslides over the last two days.

(PTI)

Maharashtra rain LIVE: The monsoon intensified its grip across India on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction as heavy rain triggered floods, landslides and widespread disruption to transport and daily life in several states.

Maharashtra was among the worst-hit, reporting three fresh rain-related deaths in Pune, taking the state's toll to 13 over the past three to four days.

In Himachal Pradesh, a 14-year-old girl was killed after being struck by falling rocks in a shooting stone incident.

Relentless rainfall also triggered flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir, disrupted rail, road and air services in several regions, and inundated towns in Odisha, prompting authorities to step up rescue operations and precautionary measures.

Maharashtra rain LIVE: Three members of a family were killed after a landslide triggered by the collapse of a portion of Visapur Fort buried their home in Pune district's Maval tehsil on Monday. The victims were identified as Nandu Tikone, Mauli Tikone and Anita Nandu Tikone.

The tragedy was among several rain-related incidents reported across Pune district, where relentless showers claimed four lives on Monday. In separate incidents, two people were swept away by overflowing streams, while another person died in a wall collapse.

(PTI)

Maharashtra rain LIVE: Amid a cloudburst warning for Nashik on July 7, Nashik Rural Police have urged tourists to avoid visiting the district and announced extensive precautionary measures.

Superintendent of Police Dr D.S. Swami said checkpoints will be set up at Igatpuri, Wadivarhe and Trimbakeshwar to restrict movement to vulnerable areas. Police personnel will also be deployed at waterfalls, low-lying areas and bridges prone to flooding to prevent accidents and ensure a swift emergency response.

He added that, following orders issued by the District Magistrate, the Trimbakeshwar and Vani temples will remain closed on Tuesday.

(ANI)

Mumbai rain LIVE: Traffic has resumed on the Missing Link section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after vehicular movement remained suspended for nearly 19 hours following a major landslide near the Khandala exit.

The rain-triggered landslide had disrupted traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway, prompting authorities to close the stretch until safety inspections were completed.

(ANI)