Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 23: Residents of Mumbai and Raigad have been advised to remain cautious after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), citing the India Meteorological Department (IMD), issued a fresh nowcast warning predicting thunderstorms, lightning, moderate rain spells and gusty winds on Tuesday.

The IMD has activated an orange alert for Mumbai and Raigad from 7 am, which will remain in effect for the next three hours. The warning highlights the possibility of sudden thunderstorms, lightning activity and winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph in isolated areas.

The weather department on Monday said the Southwest Monsoon has advanced further into several parts of Maharashtra and is expected to cover additional areas, including Mumbai, within the next 48 hours.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), the monsoon has moved into more parts of the central Arabian Sea, Maharashtra and Telangana, while covering the remaining areas of Karnataka and extending into parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar.

The IMD said favourable conditions exist for further advancement of the monsoon into remaining parts of the central Arabian Sea, more areas of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar during the next two days.

With strengthening westerly winds and the progress of monsoon, widespread to fairly widespread rainfall with thunderstorms is expected across parts of Maharashtra in the coming days.

The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over the Konkan region from June 22 to June 26. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall are likely over parts of Madhya Maharashtra during the same period.

For the Marathwada region, thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds and light to moderate rainfall are expected between June 22 and June 24.

The weather department has also issued a fishermen warning along the South Maharashtra-Goa coast, advising fishermen not to venture into the sea between June 22 and June 26 due to rough conditions. Wind speeds are expected to reach 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph.

The IMD warned that heavy rainfall could result in localised flooding and waterlogging in low-lying and urban areas, flash floods, disruption to road, rail, air and ferry services, damage to crops and rough sea conditions along the coast.

Residents have been advised to follow traffic guidelines, avoid weak structures, stay away from water bodies during thunderstorms and move to safer places during severe weather conditions.

Earlier on Monday, the BMC had issued an orange warning for Mumbai, predicting thunderstorms with lightning, moderate to intense rain spells and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph in isolated areas.

Several parts of Mumbai, including Bandra East, witnessed pre-monsoon showers accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms on Monday morning, providing relief from heat but also causing waterlogging and traffic disruptions in some areas.