Mumbai is expected to face heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next four to five days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Currently experiencing intense downpours, the city has an ‘orange’ alert issued for the Konkan region.

In the past 24 hours, Mumbai recorded 93mm of rainfall. For three consecutive days, the city saw 100mm of rainfall each day. A ‘yellow’ alert has been issued specifically for Mumbai for the next three days, indicating continued heavy rainfall in some areas.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that the Shahaji Nagar Municipal School in Trombay received 155.6mm of rain between 8am and 3pm on Sunday. Other significant rainfall measurements include the North Division office with 151.1mm, Nutan Vidyamandir in Mankhurd with 149.6mm, and Adarsh Nagar in Worli with 129.2mm.

Flight disruptions

Severe rainfall has disrupted flight operations in Mumbai, leading to cancellations and diversions. Air India is offering full refunds or a one-time free rescheduling for travellers who booked flights on July 21.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Air India stated, “Heavy rains in Mumbai are affecting flight operations and resulting in cancellation and diversion of some of our flights. Air India is offering full refunds or a one-time complimentary rescheduling for bookings confirmed for travel on 21st July 2024.”

Heavy rains in Mumbai are affecting flight operations and resulting in cancellation and diversion of some of our flights. Air India is offering full refunds or a one-time complimentary rescheduling for bookings confirmed for travel on 21st July 2024.

Please check flight status…
— Air India (@airindia) July 21, 2024

IndiGo and Vistara have also issued advisories, warning passengers of potential disruptions due to the heavy rains. IndiGo’s post on X read, “#6ETravelAdvisory: #Mumbai is going to see increased rainfall, particularly until tonight, with more rain anticipated in the coming days. Please monitor your flight status http://bit.ly/3DNYJqj and plan your travel carefully due to potential waterlogged roads.”

#6ETravelAdvisory : #Mumbai is going to see increased rainfall, particularly until tonight, with more rain anticipated in the coming days. Please monitor your flight status https://t.co/VhykW6WdB1 and plan your travel carefully due to potential waterlogged roads.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 22, 2024

On Sunday, 36 flights were cancelled at Mumbai Airport, and 15 flights, including those operated by Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa, were diverted to nearby airports, primarily Ahmedabad, due to intermittent heavy rain until 4pm.

Runway operations were halted twice on Sunday due to heavy rains -- once for eight minutes at 12:12pm, and again from 1pm to 1:15pm. Waterlogging near Mankhurd, Panvel, and Kurla stations caused 15 to 20-minute delays for local train services on the Harbour Line, though the Western Railway section remained unaffected.

Central Railway services on the down fast line between Dadar and Matunga stations were disrupted on Sunday evening. Waterlogging on the tracks at Dadar exacerbated the issue on both the Up and Down fast lines.

Weather forecast

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall over the next five days in East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Himachal Pradesh is expected to experience severe to extremely heavy rains, along with thunderstorms and lightning, on Monday and Tuesday.

Rainfall is expected in several districts, including Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra.

In Odisha, a cyclonic depression over the Bay of Bengal has triggered heavy rain across various districts. Approximately 7,300 people in 1,045 villages under 111 Panchayats in Malkangiri district have been affected. The IMD predicts that the depression will move northwest towards Chhattisgarh and weaken into a low-pressure area within the next 12 hours.