Mumbai braces for extremely heavy rain as BMC issues high alert; strong winds, tidal warning

Mumbai, July 4 (IANS) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday issued a weather alert forecasting continued spells of rain across Mumbai and its suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected at several places and the possibility of extremely heavy rain at isolated locations.

According to the BMC’s 8 a.m. weather bulletin, occasional gusty winds with speeds of 50-60 kmph are also likely to accompany the intense rainfall, prompting authorities to advise residents to remain cautious while venturing outdoors.

The BMC said the next high tide is expected at 2:50 p.m. on Saturday, reaching a height of 4.26 metres, while another high tide of 3.60 metres is expected at 2:52 a.m. The low tides are scheduled for 8:56 p.m. at 1.66 metres and 8:22 a.m. at 1.28 metres.

The civic body also reported substantial rainfall across the city during the past 24 hours. Between 8 a.m. on July 3 and 8 a.m. on July 4, Mumbai city recorded an average rainfall of 99 mm, while the eastern suburbs received 98 mm and the western suburbs recorded 94 mm.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has been forecast across Mumbai, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and the Konkan region from July 4 to July 6. The alert also covers the districts of Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely over the ghat areas of Satara, Pune and Nashik in central Maharashtra during the same period.

Authorities have warned that persistent rainfall may disrupt local transport services and could result in waterlogging, traffic congestion and minor structural damage in vulnerable areas. Residents have been advised to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, particularly through low-lying areas and ghat roads, and follow official advisories.

The state’s disaster management department has urged citizens to immediately contact local emergency services in case of any untoward incident. The BMC’s emergency helpline number is 1916.

Palghar helpline number – 02525 297474, +91 82379 78873

Thane Municipal Corporation helpline number – 022-25364779, 0222530 1740, 91 93723 38827

Thane, disaster management cell – 1800-222-108/8657887101

Panvel municipal corporation helpline number – 02227458040/41/42

Adding to the concern, satellite imagery captured on Friday morning showed a massive cloud system over the Arabian Sea moving towards Maharashtra’s coastline. Meteorologists said the cloud mass is expected to intensify rainfall over Mumbai and adjoining districts in the coming hours. Images from the INSAT-3DR satellite and other global weather satellites indicate deep convective cloud formations with extremely cold cloud tops, suggesting the likelihood of powerful thunderstorms capable of producing torrential rainfall over the region.

–IANS

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