Once again, it’s going to be a time of extreme monsoons in Mumbai as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning about extremely heavy rains in and around Mumbai on July 4 & 5. The weather department has warned that continuous rains along with strong winds may disrupt normal life activities. The authorities have advised citizens to stay vigilant and avoid traveling unnecessarily. This comes at a time when there has been continuous rainfall in recent days and heavy waterlogging problems in the region.
Weather Warnings Issued by IMD
As per the IMD warning, there will be intense to very intense rainfall in some parts of the city, while there can be extremely intense rainfall in some other isolated parts. Such weather conditions are generally accompanied by an active monsoon over the Arabian Sea and the Konkan coast region. There is a possibility that the intensity of the rainfall will increase over the weekend, which can cause the risk of floods in low-lying areas and overflowing of the drainage system as well as transportation. Gusty winds of up to 60 km/h are also anticipated during this period.
Why Is This Rainfall Important?
There is always an occurrence of monsoon rains in Mumbai every year. However, this particular monsoon period is expected to be exceptionally severe due to the presence of a strong monsoon season in western India. Various parts of the city have been experiencing more than 100 mm of rainfall in 24 hours before the issuance of the warning over the weekend. Areas like Bandra, Parel, Vikhroli, as well as some eastern and western suburbs, have experienced heavy rainfalls continuously, causing water logging and slow-moving traffic. Meteorologists have indicated that the active monsoon winds along with favorable atmospheric conditions might cause heavy downpours exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours.
Possibly Affected Regions
Even though Mumbai city is considered the main region that will be affected by the warning, other regions such as Thane, Palghar, and Raigad will receive intense rains as well. Coastal and low-lying areas are still prone to floods, especially when there is a combination of high tides with rains. Previously, during monsoon periods, these areas witnessed the occurrence of water logging, traffic jams, and road closures.
Effects on Day-to-Day Activities
Heavy rainfall in Mumbai will definitely cause a hindrance in transport facilities, and this weekend is not an exception. Flooded roads might result in sluggish traffic and delayed journeys. Local trains which are life line of this city may get delayed due to excessive rainfall. The services of buses might also be affected due to heavy rainfall, and routes would be altered accordingly in those places which are vulnerable to flooding. It has been recommended that air passengers must be careful about their journey schedules, as sometimes bad weather conditions affect flights.
Precautions for schools, colleges, and business organizations have been asked by officials to monitor the weather forecast. Many schools and colleges have been closed in various districts due to heavy rainfall to ensure the safety of students.
High Alert Administration
Disaster management groups, the police force, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are on high alert and prepared to act fast if there are any emergencies that might arise. The BMC has put up pumps in places where there is a likelihood of floods in order to drain water and told civic forces to keep a constant watch on the drainage systems.
The government is monitoring the tide because excessive rains during high tides increase the risk of flooding due to the difficulty in draining the rainwater into the sea. The citizens living near rivers, nullahs, and the coastal region have been advised to be more careful.
Safety Measures for Citizens
IMD and local administrations have recommended people to remain indoors as much as possible when there are instances of heavy rainfall. Citizens must not travel using flooded streets, must not stand beneath frail buildings or trees when there are high-speed winds, and must always have their emergency needs like water supply, torches, power banks, and medications at an arm’s reach.
For motorists, it is recommended that one drives slowly, keeps a safe distance from other vehicles, and avoids routes known to have waterlogging. Residents should also get informed regarding any weather-related updates from official sources instead of believing unverified social media messages.
Conclusion
Mumbai is all set for witnessing what will probably be the most fierce bouts of rainfall of the season with the IMD predicting extreme rainfall on July 4 and 5. The possibility of rain along with strong winds and high tides and already wet soil could create the scenario of water logging and flooding of areas in Mumbai and nearby districts. It is essential that while the government departments are fully prepared for any eventuality, it will also be necessary that the citizens cooperate in order to ensure safety.
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