Mumbai sees its wettest September day in 3 years after 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rain hit the city in 6 hours, India
A strong trough of westerlies brought intense rainfall to Mumbai on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, flooding the city and leading to four fatalities. Between 16:00 and 22:00 LT, over 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rain was recorded, with parts of the region receiving up to 276 mm (10.9 inches) making Wednesday the wettest September day since 2020.
Severe flooding in Mumbai due to heavy rains since Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Image credit: India Today (stillshot)
- Over 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rain fell in Mumbai in just six hours on Wednesday, September 25, marking the wettest September day since 2020, with some areas receiving up to 276 mm (10.9 inches).
- By September 27, Mumbai had recorded a total of 582 mm (22.9 inches) of rain for the month, far exceeding the September average of 384 mm (15.1 inches), with continued moderate to heavy rains forecasted until the weekend.
- The heavy rains caused at least four fatalities, including a woman who drowned and two laborers struck by lightning.
A strong trough of westerlies brought heavy rains to Mumbai on Wednesday, September 25 with over 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rain falling in the region in under six hours, making it the wettest September day since 2020.
Parts of the region received even more rainfall. Ghatkopar recorded 259 mm (10.2 inches), Powai 274 mm (10.8 inches), and Mankhurd 276 mm (10.9 inches) of rainfall between 16:00 and 22:00 local time (LT).
Several Red, Orange, and Yellow alerts were issued for the affected regions while schools and colleges across the region declared a holiday.
The downpour resulted in at least four fatalities on Wednesday. A woman drowned in an open drain, while two laborers were struck by lightning in Kalyan. Another woman lost her life after being swept away near a waterfall in Khopoli, around 80 km (50 miles) from Mumbai.
The city had already been receiving heavy rains since Monday, September 23. By Wednesday morning, the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Santacruz station had already recorded 74 mm (2.9 inches) of rain, while the Colaba station recorded 41 mm (1.6 inches).
According to IMD, only 16 mm (0.6 inches) of rain was recorded in the city until 17:30 LT.
The rainfall intensified afterward, leading to severe floods and waterlogging across the region. Parts of the city’s western suburbs also received heavy rainfall: Jogeshwari recorded 191 mm (7.5 inches), Marol received 176 mm (6.9 inches), and Kandivali 144 mm (5.7 inches) of rainfall between 16:00 and 22:00 LT on Wednesday.
Several roads were waterlogged, causing severe traffic disruptions. Andheri Subway had to be shut down after the accumulation of almost 760 mm (2.5 feet) of water. At least 14 flights were diverted, and 36 were canceled at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The waterlogging also caused severe disruptions to bus and train routes, affecting thousands of commuters.
Visuals shared on social media show streets filled with water submerging almost entire cars.
The moderate to heavy rains continued throughout Friday, September 27. As of Friday morning, Mumbai had recorded over 3 000 mm (118.1 inches) of rainfall since the monsoon began in June. The Santacruz station has recorded around 3 016 mm (118.7 inches) of total rainfall, while the Colaba Coastal Observatory has recorded almost 2 602 mm (102.4 inches) for the season.
Almost 394 mm (15.5 inches) of rain fell over the region between September 23 and 27, bringing the total precipitation for September to 582 mm (22.9 inches). This is well above the monthly average of 384 mm (15.1 inches).
Between Thursday, September 26, and Friday, ten tree collapses, eight short circuits, and two partial wall collapses were reported, but no casualties or injuries were recorded due to the rains.
Parts of the region are still experiencing flooding. The IMD predicts that rainfall will begin to slow down from Saturday, September 28, onwards as the cyclonic circulation over the state of Maharashtra weakens.
“While there is a trough, the heavy showers in the region are a result of strong westerlies. However, the upper air cyclonic circulation over Maharashtra has now weakened, and therefore, the intensity of rains is slated to reduce from Saturday,” said Sunil Kamble, director of IMD Mumbai.
As of Friday, IMD predicts that the city will experience moderate showers on Saturday. So far, no new warnings have been issued.
References:
1 At least four people dead after heavy rains flood Mumbai – The Express Tribune – September 26, 2024
2 Mumbai’s rainfall quota surpasses 3,000mm-mark as heavy showers lash city – Indian Express – September 27, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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