IMD Issues Mumbai Yellow Alert, Red Alerts Across West Coast Till May 30

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Mumbai, a ‘red’ alert for the districts of Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri and an ‘orange’ alert for Raigad district for the next 24 hours, with parts of Mumbai experiencing waterlogging on May 27, following the intense rainfall on May 26, reported The Indian Express.

The weather department had earlier issued a ‘red’ alert for Mumbai till 8.30 am on May 27.

The IMD has also issued a red alert for Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka due to the early onset of southwest monsoon, resulting in heavy rainfall to these regions. The IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall, especially in Coastal and South Interior Karnataka from May 27, with the intensity expected to continue until June 1. While North Interior Karnataka is expected to undergo heavy to very heavy rainfall from May 27 till May 30, reported Business Today.

The early onset of monsoon on May 26 led to heavy rainfall in Mumbai making it the earliest onset in the city in 19 years. According to Financial Express, residents in Mumbai have been experiencing waterlogging in low-lying areas, while Kerala and coastal Maharashtra have been facing strong winds.

Travel Disruptions, Services Hit

According to reports, the constant rainfall has also led cancellation and halts in metro and train services, impacting residents in the city. Considering the disruption in operation that weather situation has brought, airlines like Air India, Indigo, SpiceJet have issued travel advisories for passengers.

The IMD has also warned residents to take precautions while moving out as heavy rains are expected to continue till May 30. Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have initiated relief efforts across the state. The current conditions in Mumbai also cause damage and loss to crops and agriculture surrounding Pune, reported Financial Express.

Akhil Srivastava, Scientist at IMD, told ANI, “A warning of extremely heavy rain has been issued in Konkan Goa for the next three days. A red alert has been issued here and heavy to very heavy rains may occur in the adjoining areas of Central Maharashtra and West Coast.”

Though no cyclone warning has been officially declared, Srivastava added that the system could “intensify and move northwards” and might cause “some more movement in the west coast.”