The BRICS TimesContinuous downpour has gripped Mumbai and nearby districts since Saturday night, and forecasts warn of thunderstorms and intense showers on Monday.
IMD issues red and orange alerts across Maharashtra
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday announced fresh red and orange alerts for multiple districts in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, as heavy rains battered the state for a third straight day.
Districts like Nashik, Palghar, Thane, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad and Pune were placed under red alert, with warnings of very heavy showers, thunderstorms and strong winds. The forecast was updated at 6.32 am on September 29.
An orange alert was sounded in Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Bhandara, Ratnagiri, Satara and Sindhudurg, where heavy rainfall with lightning and squally winds was predicted throughout the day.
Meanwhile, several districts such as Gondia, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur were placed under yellow alert, the IMD’s second level in its four-stage warning system.
Mumbai drenched under non-stop showers
Mumbai has been experiencing constant downpours since Saturday night. Intermittent heavy spells soaked the city and suburbs on Sunday, with some regions recording over 50 mm of rain between 8 am and 1 pm, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
During the five-hour stretch, Mumbai city logged an average rainfall of 47.47 mm, while the western suburbs got 53.61 mm and the eastern parts received 37.92 mm.
Nearby Thane and Palghar also recorded intense rainfall in the past 24 hours. In Bhiwandi taluka of Thane district, 262 people from 71 families were evacuated, officials confirmed.
Red alert for Palghar, schools closed
Palghar district is under red alert as IMD cautioned of heavy to very heavy showers, with isolated spots possibly seeing extreme rainfall on September 29. The alert follows rising fears of waterlogging and flooding in several parts of the district.
Responding to the forecast, District Collector Manik Gursal declared a holiday for all schools in Palghar, including Anganwadis, Zilla Parishad schools, municipal institutions and aided private schools. The move is aimed at safeguarding students and staff as the district faces severe rainfall.
Authorities instructed education officials and school heads to strictly enforce the order. Teachers and support staff have been asked to remain available for emergency duties if the situation worsens.
The district administration also appealed to residents to stay cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow advisories as heavy showers are expected to continue till October 3 in parts of Maharashtra.
Forecast ahead for Maharashtra
The IMD has predicted more heavy rainfall across scattered regions in Maharashtra till October 3, based on its district-wise outlook.
Heavy rainfall claims lives, thousands shifted
Relentless rainfall has claimed five lives in the last 24 hours across the state. Two fatalities occurred in Ahilyanagar, while one each was reported from Nashik, Jalna and Yavatmal, according to officials.
Districts such as Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur and the hilly stretches of Kolhapur will continue to face heavy downpours with thunderstorms and winds reaching 40 kmph until Friday.
Mumbai, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Konkan, North Maharashtra, western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha remain the worst-hit areas. By Sunday evening, more than 11,000 residents had been relocated to safer places, including 7,200 from flood-affected Marathwada.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier held a review of relief operations in Solapur and Marathwada with district authorities, urging them to ensure food, shelter and other essentials for affected families.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also reviewed the situation in Thane and Palghar. “The administration is on high alert and the doors of the Bhatsa Dam have been opened,” he confirmed.
Akshay Didwaniya
