Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 11: After a prolonged dry spell, Mumbai is likely to witness a revival of monsoon showers this weekend, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for the city and neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad.
The weather department has forecast moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds between Saturday and Sunday, indicating a wet weekend across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Weather experts said the spell could be among the last significant bouts of heavy rain for Mumbai this monsoon season before the southwest monsoon begins its withdrawal.
Independent weather observer Athreya Shetty attributed the expected increase in rainfall activity to a low-pressure system off the Odisha coast, which is likely to become well-marked and intensify over the next few days.
"Gradually, the well-marked system will slowly move westwards and result in good showers, starting Saturday night. The intensity of showers can hover between moderate and heavy. While the rainfall is unlikely to be disruptive, the city may receive between 200 and 300 mm rainfall. This could also be the last heavy spell of monsoon season," Shetty said.
The expected rainfall will provide relief to Mumbai, which has experienced an extended dry spell. According to IMD data, both the Santacruz and Colaba observatories recorded no rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Heavy rainfall, which is a characteristic feature of Mumbai's monsoon, has been largely absent since August. The city recorded a rainfall deficit in August, with the suburban observatory registering 44 per cent less rainfall than its average for the month.
Rainfall activity is expected to increase over the weekend, with the IMD maintaining a yellow alert across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region from Saturday. IMD officials said moderate rain is likely over Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad until Monday morning, after which rainfall activity is expected to decrease.
Mumbai has so far received only 34 mm of rainfall in September, against the month's average of 384 mm.