Maharashtra weather: IMD predicts 'heavy to very heavy rainfall' in Mumbai today, issues orange alert

Mumbai witnessed light to moderate rains on Monday morning, a day after heavy showers lashed the city. Some of the suburbs received nearly 100 mm of rain over the last 24 hours, civic officials said. The weather bureau has sounded an 'orange alert' for Mumbai and suburbs, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday. In the weather forecast issued at 8 am on Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a "cloudy sky with heavy rainfall" in the city and suburbs. It also forecast the possibility of "very heavy rainfall" at isolated places, they said.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has appealed to the state government to urgently implement comprehensive relief and rehabilitation measures, stating that the ‘panchanama’ (damage assessment) process should not be restricted by rigid deadlines. Pawar said in a statement that the 'panchanama' (damage assessment) process should not be restricted by rigid deadlines, stressing that completing assessments on time is often "impossible during such unprecedented calamities". "Losses that become evident later - such as houses collapsing due to structural damage or crops and livestock being affected after floodwaters recede - should also be considered for compensation," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also reviewed the flood situation in many parts of the state and directed the emergency systems of Konkan region to maintain high readiness due to the 'red alert' for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the rainfall situation and ongoing relief operations in eight districts of Marathwada and Solapur, and directed officials to intensify field-level efforts.  "All officials must remain on the ground and closely monitor relief and rescue operations," he said. He reviewed the discharge situation of dams across the state and directed the Water Resources Department to coordinate closely with local administrations.

The water level in the Godavari river crossed the warning mark in Nashik amid heavy rains. Some temples in the Ramkund area on the banks of the river in the city submerged, officials said. A total of 21 persons were rescued from flooded areas, said officials.

Schools and colleges in several districts, including Mumbai and Palghar, have been closed on Monday, September 29. The government has emphasized that decisions regarding reopening will be made based on weather conditions. In Thane and Palghar, rising river water levels have raised concerns, and the administration is preparing to relocate residents from vulnerable areas. Landslides have also been reported in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts. Relief and rescue teams are actively deployed to manage emergency situations.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday reviewed the flood situation in many parts of the state and directed the emergency systems of Konkan region to maintain high readiness due to the 'red alert' for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts. "Top priority should be given to preventing harm to humans and animals," a release issued by the Thane district administration quoted him as saying. Shinde also reviewed the heavy rain and flooding situation in Marathwada districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Nanded, and Ahilyanagar.

At least ten people died in rain-related incidents across Maharashtra over 24 hours, and more than 11,800 were rescued from different parts of the state. According to the state disaster management department and other officials, four persons lost their lives in Nashik district, including three due to a house collapse, two each in Dharashiv and Ahilyanagar, and one each in Jalna and Yavatmal. In Marathwada, one of the worst-hit regions, inflow into the Jayakwadi dam on the Godavari river has increased, prompting the authorities to open all its gates. About 7,000 persons were evacuated in Paithan of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar amid fears of flooding. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing Red Alerts for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Nashik ghats, and Pune ghats for the next 48 hours, predicting heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by stormy winds.