Mumbai Witnesses Record-Breaking Rainfall

Although the southwest monsoon arrived late in Mumbai this year, it unleashed exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past week, breaking several long-standing records. Between late June and July 8, the city recorded its highest rainfall for this period since 2000. By July 6, Mumbai had already received nearly 1,240 mm of rain, causing severe flooding across the metropolitan region.

At the Colaba Observatory, 791 mm of rainfall was recorded between July 1 and July 7—almost equal to the area’s average rainfall for the entire month of July. Meanwhile, the Santacruz Observatory received 879 mm during the first week of July, close to its monthly average of 919.9 mm. On July 5 alone, Colaba recorded over 225 mm of rainfall, while Santacruz registered 268 mm within 24 hours, making it the second-highest one-day July rainfall there in the past 15 years.

Why Did Heavy Rainfall Occur During an El Niño Year?

According to scientists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several climate factors combined to produce this extreme weather despite El Niño, which typically suppresses monsoon rainfall.

A key reason was the record-high sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea. Warmer waters increased evaporation, supplying enormous amounts of moisture to the atmosphere. At the same time, low-pressure systems from the Bay of Bengal tracked westward across central India instead of moving northwest, allowing moisture from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to converge over western India.

The Western Ghats further intensified rainfall by forcing moisture-laden winds to rise, leading to continuous cloud formation and intense downpours over Mumbai.

Climate Change Is Intensifying Extreme Rainfall

Experts say global warming is fundamentally altering monsoon behaviour. A warmer atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture for every 1°C rise in temperature, resulting in shorter but much more intense rainfall events.

Former IMD Director General K.J. Ramesh and climate scientist Dr. Raghu Murtugudde emphasized that El Niño can no longer be studied in isolation. The interaction between El Niño and climate change is making rainfall increasingly erratic, with fewer rainy days but more frequent cloudbursts and urban flooding across India.

Mumbai Receives Season’s First Heavy Rainfall as Monsoon Advances Across India

OdishaConnect — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:51:32 +0000

Heavy Rain Brings Relief from Heat and Humidity

Mumbai witnessed heavy rainfall on Sunday morning, marking the city’s first significant spell of rain this season. The showers brought much-needed relief to residents who had been enduring prolonged heat and humid weather conditions over the past several weeks.

Several parts of the city received moderate to heavy rainfall, providing a welcome respite from soaring temperatures and discomfort caused by high humidity levels.

Monsoon Progress Delayed but Set to Advance

The southwest monsoon had reached South Konkan earlier this month. However, its progress stalled near Solapur from June 8 onwards, delaying further advancement into several regions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), weather conditions have now become favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance further across Maharashtra by June 23. Meteorologists attribute the ongoing rainfall in Mumbai to cloud formations developing along the Western Ghats.

IMD Forecasts Further Monsoon Expansion

The IMD has indicated that the monsoon is likely to advance into additional parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh by June 23. Weather systems supporting the monsoon’s progression have become active, raising hopes for widespread rainfall across central and eastern India.

Satellite imagery also shows increasing cloud cover over several regions, suggesting enhanced rainfall activity in the coming days.

Rainfall Expected Across Central India

Weather experts have forecast rainfall across Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh between June 21 and June 26. While pre-monsoon activity remains active in many parts of the country, the arrival of the monsoon is expected to bring more widespread and consistent rainfall.

The advancing monsoon is likely to provide relief to agricultural regions awaiting seasonal rains for sowing activities.

Heatwave Conditions Persist in Several States

Despite increasing rainfall activity, high temperatures continue to affect several states across India. Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius have been recorded in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana.

Uttar Pradesh’s Banda remained the hottest location in the country on Saturday, recording a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius. Delhi also witnessed temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

Other major temperature readings included:

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): 43.6°C
Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh): 42.4°C
Brahmapuri (Maharashtra): 42.1°C
Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh): 42.0°C
Chhapra (Bihar): 41.8°C
Daltonganj (Jharkhand): 40.0°C

Monsoon Reaches 19 States in 15 Days

The southwest monsoon has expanded rapidly and has already covered 19 states within 15 days of its onset. However, its progress has remained stalled for the past nine days near Maharajganj on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border.

Meteorologists expect the current weather systems to help the monsoon regain momentum and move further north and east over the next few days.

Relief on the Horizon

While intense heat continues to grip many regions, the renewed advance of the southwest monsoon offers hope for cooler temperatures and improved weather conditions. The rainfall in Mumbai signals the beginning of a more active monsoon phase that is expected to spread across large parts of the country in the coming week.

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Why Did Mumbai Receive Record Rainfall Despite an El Niño Year?