Extreme Rainfall Ravages Mumbai, Chennai and Parts of Telangana

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai and adjoining areas with a forecast of “heavy to very heavy” rain in the city, according to an 

Mumbai has already documented 3,467.6 mm rain between June 1 to September 17 – the highest amount of rainfall since 1954, when 3,451.6 mm average seasonal rain was recorded.

The records maintained by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai IMD, demonstrate that seasonal rainfall – measured from the first day of June to the last day of September – this year had broken the all-time record.

Mumbai is also likely to break the record for most rainfall in a single monsoon season, which currently stands at 3,759.7 mm in 1958 – despite the 15-day delay in the onset of the monsoon this year in June. The city’s civic body cautioned residents of heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours in the city and the suburbs.

Speaking to the Indian Express, an IMD official said that heavy rainfall across parts of Mumbai and its adjoining areas was very likely. “An upper air cyclonic circulation, which is resulting in heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh, is still persisting. The weather systems indicate its movement towards Maharashtra by September 18,” the official said.

Also read: Mumbai: Heavy Rains Stage Comeback Amidst Festivities; Local Trains Cancelled, Flights Delayed

Education minister Ashish Shelar announced on Twitter that all schools and junior colleges in Thane, Konkan and the Mumbai region would remain shut after the weather department issued a red alert.

Pune too experienced heavy rainfall on Thursday, making it one of the wettest days of the monsoon season in September for the city. The 24-hour rainfall records for the city maintained by IMD, Pune, stated that the Shivajinagar station recorded 25mm whereas Pashan recorded 44.4 mm till 8:30 am on Thursday.

Besides, the IMD on Wednesday said that Goa was also likely to receive heavy rainfall for the next two to three days.

Heavy rainfall also hit parts of Tamil Nadu and the Regional Meteorological Centre stated that Chennai had received 104 mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending 8.30 am Thursday and was likely to witness thunderstorms in parts of the city.

On Sunday, September 15, the Indian Meteorological Department in Hyderabad issued a heavy rainfall warning in many districts across the state of Telangana. On Tuesday, the city witnessed waterlogging in several areas and recorded 31.8mm rainfall, the highest for this season over 24 hours, according to a report in TOI.

According to data from the Telangana State Development Planning Society, West Maredpally received the highest rainfall at 58.5mm, followed by Vidyanagar (58.3mm), Cherlapally (56.3mm) and Lingampally (55.8mm).

Also read: Kerala Floods: Unpacking the Reasons for Heavy, Sustained Rainfall

According to the IMD, Hyderabad received the highest rainfall with 83.8mm, followed by 71.2mm in Peddapalli and 65.3mm in Yadadri-Bhadadri.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall was also reported in parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.