Mumbai’s skies have turned dark again, and the city is bracing for some serious showers. It will also become more humid on June 22, and rains will grow heavier, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). IMD has already declared a yellow alert, warning residents to prepare for heavy rains in the next three days. By Saturday, intermittent downpours have been drenching streets and slowing down traffic.
Week-Long Forecast: What to Expect
The rain doesn’t look like it’s in a hurry to leave. Here’s what the coming week looks like:
Friday, June 21: A rather grey day, light to moderate rain scattered about.Nothing too dramatic, but the sky stays sulky.
Saturday (June 22): This is where it gets serious. The India Meteorological Department expects a full day of heavy rainfall.
Sunday (June 23): Rain continues to pound the area for a second consecutive day. It may not bucket down incessantly, but grey skies won’t be vacating anytime soon. The yellow alert remains active.
Monday (24 June): Heavy rain again. The most recent warning has been issued, but more rain is possible.
Tuesday through Thursday, June 25–27: Things get a little better. Showers become lighter, significantly more of that on-off drizzle, and fewer alerts. But it’s Mumbai monsoon, expect the unexpected.
Temperatures are pretty consistent. Days will hover between 30–32°C, while nights should be around 25–28°C. A little warm, a little sticky, and very wet.
Lakes Filling Up Fast
Here’s the silver lining: all that rain is doing wonders for the city’s water supply. Seven large lakes supply Mumbai with water. And following the recent rains, those lakes are filling up in a big way.
As of Friday morning, the overall water stock surged to 3.64 lakh million litres, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the total storage capacity. Only a day earlier, the level stood at 13%. It’s a massive jump in 24 hours.
The seven lakes, namely Tulsi, Vihar, Bhatsa, Tansa, Modak Sagar, Upper Vaitarna and Middle Vaitarna, are scattered across Mumbai and its surrounding areas, including Thane and Nashik. Since most of them rely on rainfall, the recent increase in rain signals improved water security in the months ahead.
The rain might provide relief from the heat but is also creating puddles, lateness, and traffic chaos. So plot your routes, stay in whenever possible, and keep tabs on official bulletins. The monsoon has set in, and it’s not being shy.