Mumbai, Goa Weather Today: Heavy rainfall recorded, IMD forecast till May 24; 2 flights diverted from Goa airport

Mumbai rains updates: On May 20, heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning lashed several parts of Mumbai, affecting traffic and flights, officials told PTI.

These were pre-monsoon showers, and affected Mumbai's eastern and western suburbs more, compared to the city, they added.

Maharashtra Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will meet with officers of the departments concerned today to review Mumbai’s rain-preparedness, reports said.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, in a release issued Tuesday evening, said, “A low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 22, and thereafter, it may move northwards and intensify further.”

According to the IMD, rainfall between 15.6 mm and 64.4 mm is categorised as “moderate”. High tides of 3.07 metres and 3.79 metres are likely to take place at 6.04 am and 6.35 pm, respectively, while low tides of 1.74 metres and 1.71 metres are expected at 11.54 am and 1.25 am (May 22), the BMC said, PTI reported.

According to IANS, trees falling incidents amounted to 29, with a portion of a house collapsed and a fire reported in the city on Tuesday.

Building slab falls in Palghar amid heavy rains

Two members of a family, including a 14-year-old boy, were rescued after a portion of a residential building's slab caved in at Nalla Sopara in Palghar district of Maharashtra amidst heavy rains, a civic official said on Wednesday.

No injuries were reported in the incident which took place on late Tuesday night, the same day when six people died when a slab collapsed from the fourth floor of a four-storeyed residential building at Kalyan in adjoining Thane district.

Thane: Heavy showers disrupt power supply in Murbad

Heavy pre-monsoon showers accompanied by strong winds damaged power distribution infrastructure in Murbad region of Thane district, plunging many areas into darkness before electricity was restored overnight.

Maharashtra power discom MSEDCL said heavy rains and gusty winds brought down 13 high-voltage and 27 low-voltage electricity poles in Murbad on Tuesday. Additionally, power lines snapped at nearly 50 to 60 locations due to the falling of large trees.

The natural disruption affected approximately 27,000 consumers in the Murbad subdivision. Despite the hazardous weather, MSEDCL mobilised an emergency response.

Heavy rain to lash Goa till May 26: IMD

Even as Goa continued to receive incessant rain for the second day on Wednesday, the government banned entry to the famous Dudhsagar waterfall, urging people to stay away from such places and high-risk areas.

The IMD has forecast heavy rain in the coastal state till May 26.

Citing the IMD prediction, Goa’s forest minister Vishwajit Rane said in a media statement, “In light of the extreme weather, we urge all residents and visitors to prioritise their safety.”

He appealed to the public to “avoid waterfalls and high-risk areas”.

Rane said people should also desist from trekking or visiting similar terrains until conditions stabilise.

WATCH | Floods in Goa

Extremely heavy rains occurred in last 24 hours in Goa. More than 200 mm rains were recorded.

South Maharashtra is also expected to witness rain from Wednesday evening.

Minister Yogesh Kadam warns fishermen, citizens of rough weather

“Arabian Sea likely to become rough; Fishermen urged to be vigilant. The Meteorological Department has predicted that a low-pressure area will form in the Arabian Sea near Maharashtra and Goa from May 21. It may intensify and move northwards by May 24. Although there is no direct threat to the state’s coast, the sea is likely to remain rough as a result," Kadam posted on X.

How much was the city affected?

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said that except one incident of tree fall and one of short circuit, no other incident was reported. There were also no reports of any major water-logging in the city or suburbs and traffic flow was normal.

According to the traffic police, however, waterlogging was reported at an Andheri subway, which slowed down traffic.

Suburban train commuters claimed local services were running with some delays though Railway authorities said they were unaffected.

How much rain did Mumbai get?

• In western suburbs, Jogeshwari received the highest rainfall of 63 mm, followed by 57 mm in Andheri (Malpa Dongri) and 40 mm in Andheri (East) by 8 pm, informed the officials.
• In eastern suburbs, Powai received the highest 38 mm rainfall, followed by 29 mm in Bhandup (S ward office) and 27 mm in Tembhi Pada, they said.
• Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in the metropolis between 8 pm and 11 pm with western suburbs receiving the highest precipitation, according to BMC officials.
• The island city recorded an average rainfall of 12.86 mm, while eastern and western suburbs received 15.65 mm and 26.63 mm rainfall, respectively, in three hours, they said.

Maharashtra rains: Cyclonic circulation causing heavy rains

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai (Met department), parts of Maharashtra will see heavy rainfall, with thunder and gusty winds from May 21-24. This is due to the cyclonic circulation which is likely to form over the east-central Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast, they added.

Met department official Shubhangi Bhute said rainfall activity over Maharashtra may increase between May 21 and May 24 under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, PTI reported.

Regions that will be affected include: south Konkan, south central Maharashtra and Mumbai. “There is a possibility of heavy rainfall with thunder at some places, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph or possibly higher at isolated locations,” Bhute added.

Goa airport: 2 Indigo flights diverted due to poor visibility

Two Indigo flights, originating from Pune and Mumbai, respectively, were diverted from Goa International Airport at Dabolim due to poor visibility on May 20, PTI reported citing officials.

George Varughese, director of Dabolim airport in South Goa, told PTI that two IndiGo flights were diverted due to low visibility on Tuesday evening. “The Pune-Goa flight was diverted to Hyderabad, while the Mumbai-Goa flight was diverted to Belgaum (Karnataka). Later, the flight, which was diverted to Belgaum, landed at Dabolim. All other flights landed on time, and the traffic was restored,” he added.

IMD has issued an Orange alert for Goa on May 20 and 21. Since May 19 night, the coastal state has seen heavy rainfall.