Mumbai witnessed its heaviest May rain in recent years after early monsoon showers hit the city on Monday, May 26. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said this was the highest single-day May rainfall since 2021 and the second-highest in the last 10 years. It was also the earliest monsoon arrival in at least 75 years.
The IMD has issued a "yellow" alert for Mumbai for Tuesday, May 27. A "red" alert was issued for Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts. Raigad district was placed under an "orange" alert.
Rainfall data showed Colaba received 161.9 mm of rain till 8.30 am on Tuesday, May 27. This was the highest single-day May rainfall at the Colaba observatory since 2021. Santa Cruz recorded 144.2 mm during the same period. In 2021, Santacruz had received 230.3 mm and Colaba 207.6 mm on May 18.
This month, Colaba has received 456.9 mm of rain so far. It broke its earlier May record of 279.4 mm. Santacruz has received 341.8 mm. Its all-time May record is 387.8 mm, set in 2000.
Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) showed 106 mm of rain in the island city over the 24 hours till 8.30 am on Tuesday. The western suburbs got 72 mm. The eastern suburbs received 63 mm.
The rain caused widespread disruption. The heavy downpour started late Sunday and brought the city to a standstill. Heavy rains also led to a small landslip, wall collapses, and more tree falls.
There were 45 reports of tree falls, 25 fire incidents caused by short circuits and nine reports of structural damage.
Of the 9 cases of structural damage, one came from the eastern suburbs, one from the western suburbs, and seven from the island city. The island city had 34 of the 45 complaints of fallen trees and branches.
A two-storey house partially collapsed in Mahim West. Two people were trapped inside and were rescued safely by emergency teams. A 24-year-old man was injured by a falling tree branch near St Xavier’s College. He is in stable condition.
Around 9:51 am on Monday, May 26, a wall and staircase fell at the Haji Kasam Chawl building on Pitambar Lane in Mahim.
Locals said the building was very old and under the care of MHADA. Two elderly residents stuck on the second floor were rescued by the fire brigade. Malabar Hill locals blamed tree cutting and nearby construction for weakening the hill. A day earlier, part of the Banganga Tank compound wall had also collapsed due to rain.
Another incident took place around 2:00 pm. A landslip occurred on a hill behind Ruby Hills, an MHADA-cessed building on Ridge Road, near Walkeshwar Road. Residents left the structure in time and were safe.
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