Monsoon expected to hit Mumbai on June 13

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced the revised dates for the arrival of southwest monsoon in Maharashtra with its onset over Harnai in Ratnagiri and Solapur districts. According to IMD officials, the monsoon has arrived and is expected to hit the city of Mumbai around June 13 and June 14.

This announcement coincided with the drought-prone Parbhani in Marathwada receiving a record of 190mm rain in the last 24 hours. The IMD on Thursday stated that the Monsoon has arrived in Maharashtra and heavy rainfall is expected in Marathwada and central Maharashtra in the next 4-5 days. Mumbai, Thane and Palghar are to receive thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds with the speed reaching 30-40 kmph at isolated places.

The Meteorological Department further stated that the conditions are favourable for further advancement in parts of Maharashtra in the coming 48 hours. Therefore, Maharashtra is all set to receive continuous rainfall across the state approximately between June 12 to 14. As per the IMD bulletin, enhanced rainfall activity is expected over the west coast which includes Mumbai, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha the next two to three days.

Earlier, Heavy to very heavy rainfall was witnessed in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada on Thursday. Heavy rainfall was recorded at Parbhani (190 mm), Palam (90 mm), Bhum, Manvat and Pathri (70 mm each) and Latur (60 mm) in Marathwada and Madha and Pandharpur (80 mm each) and Barshi (60 mm) in Madhya Maharashtra.

Mumbai receives an average 2,354 mm of rainfall from the months of June to September, with July being the wettest month. Although heavy monsoons have always been a part of Mumbai, this time around the challenges have intensified as the city’s slums, usually located along creeks and in low-lying places, are the hotspots for the novel coronavirus. The CM of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray had earlier asserted that arrangements have been made so that food grains and medicines can be provided in remote areas during the monsoon season.

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