Mumbai: The 'Maximum City', Mumbai, usually experiences its intense heat in May, is experiencing an unexpected weather phenomenon this year, with over 85 mm of rainfall recorded so far. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms for the next four days in Mumbai and the Konkan region.
Other areas in Maharashtra, such as Raigad, Nashik, and Pune, are under an orange warning for 'extremely heavy rain'. The unexpected showers began around May 6 and have continued for almost two weeks, making this the city’s wettest May since 2021. The Colaba coastal observatory reported 85.2 mm of rain, while Santacruz station logged 47.4 mm by Monday morning.
Why Is Mumbai Facing Pre-Monsoon?
These unseasonal rains have also led to a drop in temperatures, with Colaba recording a low of 22.2 degrees Celsius on May 8, the coldest for May since 1951. The early rain is attributed to a western disturbance system and is considered pre-monsoon as the season approaches. Shubhangi Bhute from IMD mentioned that the persistent rain distinguishes this year's weather from past summers.
This year, pre-monsoon showers in Mumbai have arrived at least two weeks earlier than usual, typically expected at the end of May. The early onset is attributed to a combination of favorable climate conditions, specifically neutral phases of El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which may lead to good monsoon spells. Weather experts are optimistic about a timely and possibly abundant monsoon season due to these neutral indicators influencing monsoon performance.
Mumbai, known as 'Maximum City', is experiencing unusual weather this May with over 85 mm of rainfall recorded. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in Mumbai and the Konkan region for the next four days.
Other areas in Maharashtra, like Raigad, Nashik, and Pune, are under an orange warning for 'extremely heavy rain'. Since May 6, these unexpected showers have made it the city’s wettest May since 2021.
