Mumbai Rains: Short, intense rain spell likely on Wednesday, Thursday
A weak mid-level cyclonic circulation is present over Maharashtra, which, combined with easterly winds pushing clouds towards the Arabian Sea, is expected to result in wet weather conditions (Inset Picture Courtesy: The Weather Channel)
Amid prevailing weather conditions, parts of Mumbai may witness short and intense spell of rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.
Currently, a weak mid-level cyclonic circulation is present over Maharashtra, which, combined with easterly winds pushing clouds towards the Arabian Sea, is expected to lead to wet weather in regions like Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, and Solapur.
According to The Weather Channel’s forecast, rain and thunderstorms are likely over Maharashtra and Goa on Wednesday and Thursday. The cyclonic circulation is expected to move northwestward, bringing heavy rain over Gujarat on Friday and Saturday.
Parts of Madhya Maharashtra like Pune, Satara, Solapur may get intense thundershowers today and tomorrow, Professor Sridhar Balasubramanian, Associate Professor at IIT Bombay, told The Weather Channel.
However, the quantum of rainfall will be less in Mumbai.
“Due to the easterly cloud-bearing winds, aided by fresh moisture from the Arabian Sea, southern parts of Mumbai may also get short, intense spells of rainfall over the same period,” he said.
“There will be a break in the rains after September 26th, but I expect these localised thundershowers to come and go up to October 10 or so, when the monsoon should begin withdrawing from Maharashtra,” he added.
Private weather agency Skymet also forecast similar conditions.
“The rain intensity is expected to increase today and tomorrow. A few moderate showers are likely over the region. Also, one or two isolated intense spells cannot be ruled out. A few low-lying areas might face some difficulties in terms of waterlogging and traffic disruptions,” it said.
Earlier today, several parts of the city witnessed heavy rainfall, which was accompanied by thunder and lightning at a few areas.
India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Colaba observatory recorded 67 mm rain and Santacruz recorded 30 mm in the last 24-hour period ending Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the IMD is yet to announce the withdrawal of monsoon.
“The reason that withdrawal has not yet been declared is because monsoon systems are still present,” said K S Hosalikar, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, IMD Mumbai.
