Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Mumbai, June 19, 2025 – The monsoon’s early arrival has jolted Mumbai into full gear as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) raised an orange alert today, following the highest single-day June rainfall in two years recorded at the Colaba observatory.

From 8:30 a.m. June 18 to 8:30 a.m. June 19, IMD’s Colaba station logged 142.6 mm of rain—the most intense 24-hour June accumulation since June 2023—surpassing last year’s 148 mm on June 29, 2023.Meanwhile, the Santacruz gauge reported 60.5 mm in the same period .

As monsoon showings intensify, the IMD upgraded Mumbai from a yellow alert to orange, warning of heavy to very heavy showers expected to persist through June 20.

This surge follows a wet spell earlier this week—Monsoon arrived on May 26, marking Mumbai’s earliest onset in 75 years .A low-pressure area and monsoon trough over the Arabian Sea and Vidarbha is fueling widespread cloudburst activity.

Other pockets of the city reported intense rainfall as well: Wadala received 145.7 mm, western suburbs 150.1 mm, and eastern suburbs 128.1 mm from Sunday evening to Monday evening. Notably, Wadala recorded 161.4 mm in 24 hours.

The downpour strained the city’s infrastructure. Automatic weather stations showed waterlogging in Kurla, partial closure of the Andheri subway, and tree and wall collapses.Several commuters were stranded, and short-lived disruptions hit local bus and train services .

Air transport felt the impact, too, with IndiGo and Air India issuing travel advisories for Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport .

Despite the intensity, the city’s response mechanisms held firm. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had preemptively deployed 514 dewatering pumps across vulnerable locations following an earlier forecast. Officials report minimal widespread waterlogging, though 36 reports of tree fall and eight of structural collapse emerged .

Powai Lake overflowed early Wednesday after continuous downpour in catchment areas . Water stock in reservoirs rose by 3%, now around 13.18% of total capacity—an early buffer in a typically rain-deficient June .

The orange alert remains active until 8:30 a.m. June 20, with the potential to extend based on weather evolution . The IMD advises residents to avoid low-lying areas, stay indoors during spells, stay alert to weather updates, and monitor high tide schedules.

Mumbai’s early monsoon rush has tested the city’s resilience—bringing record June rainfall, infrastructure stress, and travel hiccups. However, proactive planning and cautionary advisories have helped limit chaos. Still, as the city braces under the orange alert, sustained vigilance, and collective preparedness will be vital in the critical days ahead.