Heavy rain returned to lash Mumbai and adjoining areas from late on Tuesday. The Indian Meteorological Department observatory at Colaba recorded 171mm of rain from 8.30am on Tuesday until 5.30am on Wednesday.
The IMD has attributed the heavy rain to a low-pressure area in the Arabian Sea that is moving towards Mumbai. “The low-pressure area that is developing will bring more showers to the Mumbai region in next 48 hours," an IMD official said.
Private weather forecaster Skymet Weather noted that Santa Cruz recorded 84mm of rainfall in nine hours until 9am on Wednesday. Skymet noted heavy rainfall on Wednesday could lead to heavy waterlogging and associated traffic chaos and even possible disruption of flight services. Flight operations at the Mumbai Airport were severely disrupted for over three days from July 2 to July 5 after its primary runway was closed as a result of a SpiceJet flight overshooting the runway on landing in heavy rain.
Skymet warned “Mumbai rains may see an increase in intensity around July 26 and may get heavier between July 27 and 28. Moreover, these showers will get hefty and three-digit rains are expected.”
The heavy rain on Wednesday morning submerged railway tracks at the Sion Railway station. Waterlogging was reported in Sion and King's Circle early on Wednesday morning. At least eight people were injured in a three-vehicle pileup amid poor visibility early on Wednesday in Andheri.
The IMD has warned of the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in many places in Raigad district and Ratnagiri district in Konkan region on Wednesday and Thursday.
(With inputs from PTI, Skymet Weather)
