IMD Issues Orange and Red Alerts Across Maharashtra as Monsoon Intensifies; Mumbai on High Rainfall Watch

Mumbai: The monsoon has returned with renewed intensity across Maharashtra, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a series of weather alerts, including an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Nashik and a red alert for Konkan and ghat regions over the next 48 hours. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecasted in multiple regions, raising the risk of flooding and waterlogging.

Mumbai began receiving intermittent showers early Thursday morning, with the city already experiencing delays in public transport and vehicular traffic due to slick roads and reduced visibility. Although no severe waterlogging has been reported so far, civic officials are closely monitoring flood-prone locations such as Sion, King’s Circle, Hindmata, Kurla, Andheri Subway, and the Dahisar and Malad underpasses.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has advised citizens to plan their travel cautiously, especially with a high tide expected later in the day that could worsen drainage issues in low-lying areas.

According to the IMD’s forecast, the Konkan belt—including Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg—is set to witness extremely heavy downpours on Thursday and Friday. Similar conditions are expected in the ghat regions of Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur, where landslide risks are being closely monitored. Local administrations in these districts have issued advisories urging residents to remain indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary.

In Marathwada, light to moderate showers have been predicted, with isolated thunderstorms expected in districts like Aurangabad, Jalna, and Parbhani. The IMD has warned of gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km/h, accompanied by lightning in some pockets, urging people to stay away from trees, power poles, and weak structures during the storm activity.

Vidarbha, under a yellow alert, is likely to see scattered heavy showers, especially in Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Amravati.

With rain intensity likely to peak in the next 24 to 48 hours, the state administration has instructed all district-level disaster management units to be on round-the-clock alert. Emergency control rooms have been activated, and local bodies have been asked to prepare relief measures in flood-prone areas.

The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) has urged residents to:

• Follow real-time weather updates through official channels
• Avoid unnecessary travel during high-alert periods
• Keep emergency kits and helpline numbers accessible
• Report any signs of flooding, landslides, or structural damage to local authorities