IMD Forecasts Heavy Rain Across Several States as Monsoon Intensifies
Mumbai reels under waterlogging, Jharkhand issues thunderstorm alert, while Odisha boosts weather monitoring with new Doppler radars.
The southwest monsoon continued to intensify across India on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in several states over the coming days. Authorities have issued weather alerts as intense showers are expected to trigger waterlogging, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Mumbai Battered by Heavy Rain
Mumbai witnessed incessant rainfall throughout Friday, with several areas receiving more than 70 mm of rain within five hours. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Supari Tank Municipal School in Bandra recorded the highest rainfall at 73.8 mm, followed by Prabhadevi (72.2 mm), Bandra West (70.8 mm) and Parel (69.4 mm).
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by winds of 50-60 kmph over the next 24 hours. While Metro, suburban railway and BEST bus services continued to operate, commuters reported traffic congestion and delays.
The city recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8 am on Friday, with Wadi Bunder receiving the highest at 150.2 mm. Low-lying areas including Dadar, Andheri, Goregaon and Parel experienced waterlogging, although floodwaters receded later in the morning.
A man died after falling into a manhole in Chandivali during heavy rain on Thursday, marking the second rain-related death in Mumbai this week.
Thunderstorm Alert in Jharkhand
The IMD has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and lightning across all 24 districts of Jharkhand on Saturday, followed by a yellow alert from July 6 to 8.
Light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of up to 50 kmph are expected across the state over the next four days. Heavy rainfall is forecast for districts including Latehar, Palamu, Chatra, Garhwa, Ranchi, Hazaribag, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum on different days.
The state recorded a 54 per cent rainfall deficit in June despite the southwest monsoon covering the entire state by June 30.
West Bengal Braces for Heavy Downpour
The IMD said a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify over the next two days, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall across south Bengal until July 6.
Districts including South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Howrah are likely to witness very heavy rainfall on July 5, raising concerns over waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Heavy rain is also expected to return to north Bengal from July 7, affecting districts including Darjeeling and Kalimpong through July 9.
Odisha to Install More Doppler Radars
Amid concerns over extreme weather events, the Odisha government has announced plans to install four additional Doppler weather radars at Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Puri and Paradip to strengthen forecasting of cyclones, floods and heavy rainfall.
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who directed departments to accelerate disaster mitigation projects and improve preparedness ahead of future weather emergencies.