Mumbai Rain Updates: IMD Issues Sudden Alert, Yellow Alert Upgraded to Red with Warning of Extremely Heavy Rainfall
Mumbai Rain Updates: IMD Issues Sudden Alert, Yellow Alert Upgraded to Red with Warning of Extremely Heavy Rainfall
First spell of monsoon breaks 55-year record, brings over 200 mm rain forecast and disrupts metro, flights, and traffic in Mumbai
Breaking all previous predictions, the southwest monsoon arrived early in Maharashtra, making a dramatic entry into Mumbai, Pune, and Konkan on Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded its earlier yellow alert to a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Ratnagiri districts after rainfall intensified in the afternoon. The IMD now forecasts more than 200 mm of rainfall in a single day for these regions.
Additional red alerts have been issued for Satara and the Ghat areas of Pune, where heavy rainfall is expected in the coming hours. The early onset of the monsoon, which usually reaches Mumbai around June 11, has arrived 16 days ahead of schedule, breaking records set in 1956, 1962, and 1971.
#WeatherUpdate: Due to bad weather (heavy rain) in Mumbai (BOM), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via https://t.co/2wynECYWr0.
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) May 26, 2025
Sea Surges and Coastal Evacuations
The Mumbai administration has temporarily evacuated popular coastal locations such as the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, and Girgaon Chowpatty after sea levels surged to 4.75 meters. Authorities fear coastal flooding due to these unusually high tides.
Road Collapse and Transport Disruptions
A section of Kemps Corner Road in South Mumbai collapsed on Monday morning, leading to restricted traffic movement in the area. The city has witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall since early morning, with Nariman Point recording 40 mm, Grant Road 36 mm, Colaba 31 mm, and Byculla 21 mm between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Public transport has also been affected. The Aqua Line-3 metro project faced major setbacks after rainwater flooded the newly opened Acharya Atre Chowk underground metro station in Worli. Metro services were suspended, and entry gates were closed for safety.
Flight Delays and Airline Alerts
Flight operations were hit across the city’s airports. Airlines including SpiceJet and Air India have issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport. “Due to bad weather (heavy rain) in Mumbai (BOM), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected,” SpiceJet stated.
What Lies Ahead
The IMD has confirmed that the monsoon has covered Mumbai, Pune, and Solapur and is expected to advance further into Maharashtra over the next three days. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, as the combination of early monsoon, intense rainfall, and tidal surges poses a significant challenge for the city’s infrastructure.
Residents are advised to remain indoors, avoid seafront areas, and follow official updates for the latest weather and safety information.
