Mumbai on orange alert as heavy rainfall expected through Sunday evening

The India Meteorological Department has maintained Mumbai on an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, while extending weather advisories across multiple districts in Maharashtra until 8.30 a.m. on September 14, 2026.

IMD Forecasts Gradual Easing After Sunday

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, issued its evening district forecast at 6 p.m., stating that heavy to very heavy rain was "very likely" at isolated places in the city. The intensity is expected to taper off in the coming days, with moderate rain forecast for September 14, light to moderate rain on September 15 and 16, and light rain on September 17. The IMD's official district-warning portal has listed September 13 among the current warning dates.

The timing of the rainfall coincides with significant tidal activity along the Mumbai coast. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation reported that a 4.46-metre-high tide occurred at 1.05 p.m., followed by a low tide of 0.44 metres at 7.13 p.m.. The corporation has forecast the next high tide at 1.38 a.m. on September 14, 2026, when the sea level is expected to reach 4.43 metres, followed by a 1.21-metre low tide at 7.17 a.m..

Multiple Risks as Weather Department Issues Cautions

The meteorological department has cautioned that spells of heavy rain can trigger localised waterlogging or flooding in low-lying and urban areas, alongside traffic and transport disruptions. Additional threats include the uprooting of weak trees and damage to poorly maintained structures. The IMD has also warned about rough sea conditions along the Konkan coast and the possibility of landslides or rockfalls in vulnerable areas.

Konkan Belt and MMR Face Varied Intensity

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and adjoining Konkan belt, Thane has been forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, while Raigad could see isolated heavy rain. Palghar faces a more severe forecast, with thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places.

State-Wide Warnings Span Multiple Districts

Nandurbar has been placed in the highest warning category shown in the IMD bulletin, with thunderstorms, lightning and heavy to extremely heavy rain forecast at one or two places. The Nashik ghats could face heavy to extremely heavy rain along with thunderstorms and lightning, while Dhule could receive heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.

Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of up to 40-50 kmph has also been forecast at isolated places in Jalgaon, Nashik, the Pune ghats, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna. Similar heavy-rain and thunderstorm warnings are in place in parts of Vidarbha, including Akola, Amravati, Buldhana and Washim. The overall intensity is expected to reduce considerably from September 14, 2026, in most parts of the State.

Source: The Hindu