Heavy Rains to Lash Mumbai from Today; Orange Alert Issued in Several Maharashtra Districts

Mumbai, 20th May 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for parts of Maharashtra, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai starting today. The alert follows two days of light rain and overcast skies in the city. Weather officials have also warned of gusty winds and thunderstorms in several regions.

According to the IMD, cyclonic winds over the Arabian Sea—particularly along the Gujarat and North Konkan coasts—have created favourable conditions for intensified rainfall. As a result, Mumbai is expected to experience persistent heavy showers till Thursday, with rainfall activity likely to peak during the evening hours.

Yellow alerts have been sounded for Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Dhule, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim, Yavatmal, and Bhandara districts, where thunderstorms with gusty winds are anticipated. Orange alerts, which indicate a heightened level of caution, have been issued for Sindhudurg, Ahilya Nagar, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Latur, and Dharashiv.

In addition to rainfall, cyclonic circulation is expected to develop off the Karnataka coast in the east-central Arabian Sea by Wednesday. A low-pressure area is also likely to form by Thursday, which may further enhance rain activity in the region as the system moves northward.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon has advanced over most of Sri Lanka, parts of the Maldives, Comorin area, and the southern Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The IMD expects the monsoon to progress further inland over the next few days.

While rainfall has lowered temperatures, heatwave conditions are likely between 11 a.m. and midnight, with thunderstorms expected during the afternoon in certain areas. The public is advised to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and take necessary precautions during inclement weather.