Shaun
t a time when several parts of the country are experiencing stormy weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a yellow alert in Mumbai and its neighbouring districts, starting Tuesday, indicating the likelihood of thunderstorms coupled with light to moderate showers and lightning activity.
The pre-monsoon showers are also likely to spur a dip in daytime heat levels, with the maximum temperatures forecast to drop to nearly 31 degrees.
Meteorologists and weather experts have attributed the incoming spate of pre-monsoon spell to a ‘very strong’ western disturbance system in the lower levels.
On Saturday, Mumbai reeled under above-normal heat levels as the maximum temperatures soared to 34.7 degrees in the Santacruz observatory while the minimum temperatures also sizzled above normal at 27.3 degrees.
Starting today (Sunday), however, the IMD has said that the city, as well as neighbouring districts like Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, are slated to experience light rain alongside thundershowers in what will lead to a dip in temperatures.
This weather activity is forecast to intensify after Monday, with the IMD issuing a yellow alert in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts from May 6 (Tuesday) to May 7 (Wednesday). In its forecast bulletin, the weather bureau has said that the yellow alert has been sounded owing to high likelihood of gusty winds at the speed of 30-40 kmph, thunderstorms, as well as light to moderate rainfall.
Speaking to Web Press Global, Athreya Shetty, an independent weather forecaster, pointed to a western disturbance system which is likely to affect the weather in the Konkan region over the next week.
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“There is a very strong western disturbance, which is unusually dipping south. This WD is likely to be stationed over Gujarat for nearly 3 – 4 days and pull in moisture from the Arabian Sea. Owing to the system being strong and lower than normal, this WD will influence weather in the coming week. While its impact will be stronger over Gujarat, it will also usher in thunderstorms and light rains in the North Konkan region, including Mumbai,” said Shetty.
Mumbai is no stranger to experiencing such pre-monsoon showers during the summer months, which IMD scientists typically attribute to the interaction of winds.
Data furnished by the IMD shows that in 2024, Mumbai received 21.3 mm of rain in the month of May, while in 2023, it logged 3.4 mm of rainfall. Historical records also show that its wettest May was recorded in the year 2000, when the city received 388 mm of rainfall in the month, while its heaviest downpour in a single day was registered on May 18, 2021, when the Santacruz station logged 230 mm of rainfall.
