India: Southwest monsoon arrives early; IMD warns of heavy rainfall
New Delhi: The southwest monsoon advanced into several parts of India on Monday, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and parts of the Northeast, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Meanwhile, Mumbai witnessed heavy rainfall as the monsoon arrived 16 days ahead of its usual onset, marking its earliest arrival in the city in 19 years.
In a post on X, the IMD said, "Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of westcentral & North Bay of Bengal, Remaining parts of Mizoram, entire Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, some parts of Assam and Meghalaya, today the 26th May."
The IMD added that Conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into some more parts of Maharashtra, some more parts of Karnataka, some more parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of West Central, some more parts of North Bay of Bengal, some more parts of Northeastern states, and some parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next three days.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to continue over west coast (Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra & Goa) during next 6-7 days with possibility of extremely heavy rainfall over Kerala, Konkan including Mumbai city, ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal and Ghat areas of Karnataka on 26th & 27th, Ghat areas of Tamil Nadu on 26th May," the IMD added.
According to the IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue along the west coast over the coming week, including Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra, and Goa.
Notably, the monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Monday, 16 days earlier than the usual date of June 11, marking the earliest onset in 19 years.
Following the rains, several areas of Mumbai experienced waterlogging. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the BJP-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for failing to address the flooding adequately.
Visiting affected localities, Thackeray said, "Mumbai has collapsed in rain."
"We are seeing absolute absence of governance in Maharashtra today. Mumbai has collapsed in the rains, and it's only May. Last week, it was Andheri Subway and Saki Naka that was flooded. Today, it is South and Central Mumbai facing the brunt of the BMC being controlled by BJP and corrupt mind," Thackeray wrote in a post on X.
"Hind Mata and Gandhi Market (traditional flood spots) were made flood free by our govt in 2022. Today, due to the apathy of the government, it flooded. The Metro Station in Worli, inaugurated 2 weeks ago, saw a wall collapse, waterlogging, and sewage line water enter the station. A newly made road has caved in near Kemps Corner," he added.
Thackeray also highlighted issues at the newly inaugurated Worli Metro Station, where waterlogging and a wall collapse were reported. "For the past two months, we have repeatedly said the drains have not been cleaned properly, and the municipal corporation has not held meetings during the monsoon," he told reporters outside Worli station.
Responding, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde acknowledged some water entered the station but assured the matter would be addressed promptly. He also criticised the previous Shiv Sena (UBT)-led government for closing multiple metro stations.
"I have talked with Ashwini Bhide (Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Corporation), she said that water had come in from the entrance, the work will be done quickly. But I ask, the people who had kept the metro closed, if we had not opened it, then how would the lakhs of people benefit from it? They (UBT-led govt) had said to close it down, but after our government came in we started it all, lakhs of people are travelling in it now," Shinde said.
He emphasised that the state government and BMC share responsibility for problems caused by the rains.
"Wherever people are facing difficulty due to rains, the responsibility is both of the state government and the Corporation. But these people, what did they do in the last 25 years? Did they make a concrete road?," Shinde added.
Visuals from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) showed the city's monsoon onset.
According to IMD data, Mumbai city received 135 mm of rainfall, with Supari Tank and Nariyalwadi in Santacruz recording the highest rainfall at 25 mm, followed by Khar Danda Pali Hill with 24 mm. Other areas like HE Ward Office (18 mm), HW Ward Office (16 mm), Vile Parle (15 mm), Andheri Fire Station (14 mm), Chakal Municipal School (14 mm), Malvani Fire Station (12 mm), and Versova Pumping Station (11 mm) also recorded significant rainfall.
Earlier, IMD had forecast widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in South Peninsular, West, Northeast, East, Central, and Northwest regions over the next few days. Several areas may also witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and parts of Northeast India.
Gusty winds reaching 40-70 kmph were expected in multiple regions, with isolated hailstorms forecast over Himachal Pradesh on select days.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely over Coastal and South Interior Karnataka on 26th and 27th May, and heavy to very heavy rainfall thereafter during 28th May-01st June, and heavy to very heavy rainfall over North Interior Karnataka during 26th-30th May.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and Telangana are expected to have scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall with thunderstorms during the next five days. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Telangana from May 26 to 29 and Rayalaseema on May 27, too.
Extremely heavy rains are expected at isolated places, likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on May 27 to 31 too.
Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Rayalseema on May 27-29 are expected to have a thunderstorm with wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
India: 12 dead, over 6.3 lakh affected as floods worsen across 21 districts in Assam
Morigaon (Assam): Following continuous rainfall and rising water levels of the Brahmaputra river, several families in Assam's Morigaon and Darrang districts have been displaced. Residents like Md Raham Ali and his family are now living in makeshift tents. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood has affected over 6.33 lakh people across 21 districts, while rescue and relief operations are underway. Speaking to ANI, Md Raham said, "We have lived here with my family members for the last three days. The flood waters entered our house. Many food items, such as paddy rice and other household goods, have been damaged. My house is now under water. We are now facing lots of problems here, including drinking water." Ali mentioned that although they are initially from the Darrang district, they are currently taking shelter near a highland in Morigaon. "Not only I, but 40 other families of Hiloikhunda village are also facing similar problems. Many food items, including paddy rice, have been damaged due to the flood. If rain continues, the situation will become more critical," he added. Several flood-affected families in Morigaon district have moved to nearby highlands to escape the rising waters. Lali Khatun, another resident affected by the floods, told ANI that her family couldn't save any food grains as flood waters rushed into their home. "We have been taking shelter here for the last 3 days. We are now facing a food crisis, drinking water problems," she said. Following continuous heavy rainfall, the Brahmaputra River has flooded numerous villages under the Mayong revenue circle in Morigaon district. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), this year's floods have claimed 12 lives, with five more deaths attributed to landslides. On Tuesday alone, six more people, including two children, drowned in floodwaters. The ASDMA reported one death each in the Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia districts, while one person was reported missing in Cachar. It has affected over 6.33 lakh people across 21 districts in the state, including Hailakandi, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Kamrup, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Cachar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Majuli, Karbi Anglong West, Darrang, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Dima-Hasao, and Jorhat. Currently, 1506 villages under 69 revenue circles are submerged, with 14,739.33 hectares of crop area inundated. Sribhumi district is the worst affected, with 2,31,536 people impacted, followed by Nagaon (99,819), Cachar (89,344), Hailakandi (78,038), and Lakhimpur (43,651), as per ASDMA. Over 2.57 lakh people are sheltering in 511 relief camps and distribution centres across flood-hit areas. Additionally, 494,132 domestic animals have also been affected in the ongoing crisis, and floodwaters washed away 151 animals on Tuesday.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
North Sikkim landslide: Air Force rescues 33 people, including 2 US nationals from landslide-hit Chaten
Chaten (Sikkim): In the wake of heavy rains and devastating landslides in North Sikkim, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday carried out urgent rescue and relief operations in the remote region of Chaten and evacuated 33 stranded people, including two US nationals, from the remote and rain-battered Chaten region of North Sikkim. In a statement, the Indian Air Force said, "In response to the devastating landslides in Sikkim, Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters rapidly launched Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Ops -- dropping relief supplies, inserting NDRF teams, and evacuating 33 stranded individuals, including two US nationals, from the remote Chaten region." However, a prior operation to evacuate 113 stranded tourists from Lachen during the early hours had to be called off due to bad weather. An Mi-17 helicopter carrying nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel took off from Pakyong Airport around 6 am, but was forced to return mid-air because of poor visibility near Mangan and Chaten. The tourists have been stranded in Lachen for over a day after multiple landslides blocked key roads, cutting off access to the area. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for North Sikkim, warning of continued heavy rainfall over the next three days. Meanwhile, the Indian Army has reached Lachen village on foot, navigating through dangerous terrain and extreme weather. The troops were able to locate all 113 stranded tourists. "In the wake of a devastating landslide in North Sikkim, the #IndianArmy is leading relentless search and rescue operations under extreme weather and hazardous terrain. Lachen village, completely cut off, has been reached on foot, with 113 stranded tourists located -- 30 of them, including foreign nationals, airlifted on 3 June," the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a post on X. The Army is also searching for six missing persons in the region. Specialised teams equipped with advanced tools are working in unstable and high-altitude conditions to find them. "Search efforts continue for six missing individuals. Despite unstable ground and high-altitude challenges, specialised teams and equipment are on the ground. The Army stands resolute: every life matters, and every effort continues. #IndianArmy #SikkimLandslide," the MoD added. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has also been responding swiftly to landslides, road blockages, and communication blackouts across Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Bhutan. The MoD stated, "Incessant rains across Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Eastern Bhutan have triggered landslides, road blockages, and communication blackouts. BRO India has responded with unmatched urgency -- clearing debris in Mizoram, restoring access in Sikkim, keeping the Koloriang-Lee-Sarli-Huri lifeline operational in Arunachal's Kurung Kumey, and swiftly reopening the Darranga-Trashigang Highway in Bhutan after a massive landslide on 30 May." "Working around the clock in hostile terrain, BRO ensures connectivity, relief, and critical support. A testament to resilience and India's enduring regional partnership," it added. The Government of Mizoram had earlier issued an advisory asking dignitaries and officials to postpone their visits to the state due to severe weather conditions. The advisory comes after several days of intense rainfall that have triggered landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and rockfalls in various districts.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Over 75 per cent of households likely to face extreme weather in next decade: World Bank Report
New Delhi: More than 60 per cent of households and firms have experienced extreme weather in the last five years, and over 75 per cent are expected to face it in the next decade, a new report by the World Bank has revealed. In a new report titled 'From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Firms Adapt in South Asia,' the World Bank has warned that South Asia is facing a sharp rise in extreme weather. Nearly 90 per cent of the population is expected to be exposed to intense heat by 2030, and more than one in five people is at risk of severe flooding. It said that much of the adaptation effort needs to come from the private sector, as public budgets are under pressure. A new World Bank report has outlined policy reforms that would help households and firms adapt to increasingly frequent and damaging weather events. In a press release, the World Bank stated, "Released today, From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Firms Adapt in South Asia, finds that awareness of climate risk is high. More than 60 per cent of households and firms have experienced extreme weather in the last five years, and more than 75 per cent expect it for the next decade. Many households and businesses are already taking steps to adapt to climate risks." "Around 80 per cent of households and 63 per cent of firms have taken some measures to adapt. However, most of these measures are basic, such as raising house foundations or installing fans. More advanced options, like using climate-resilient seeds or relocating from high-risk areas, remain less common," it added. According to the report, market barriers and income constraints are holding back stronger adaptation. Households with more education or access to formal finance are more likely to adopt advanced strategies. In addition, better-managed companies with fewer regulatory barriers tend to be more adaptive and removing these barriers would allow more effective adaptation by households and firms. World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, Franziska Ohnsorge, said, "Private sector adaptation could reduce one third of the region's projected climate damage, but this requires governments to strengthen enabling environments." "Adaptation is most effective when markets function well and when essential services like transport, water, healthcare, and digital connectivity are widely accessible," Ohnsorge added. The report called for targeted adaptation efforts and broader development measures that also build climate resilience. It noted that governments have a critical role to play, even with limited fiscal space. According to the report, the government can expand access to localised climate information, promote weather-indexed insurance, and support the use of resilient technologies such as energy-efficient cooling systems. World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, said, "The urgency is growing. People and firms are already adapting, but they are doing so with limited tools and few resources." "Governments must act quickly to remove the barriers that prevent more effective adaptation. This includes removing distortions in land and labour markets, expanding access to finance and investing in public infrastructure to support people and businesses as they respond to climate risks," he added. The report noted that cities like Ahmedabad are leading with heat action plans to protect urban populations from rising temperatures. These plans demonstrate how targeted investments and effective institutions can successfully bolster local adaptation. The report called for policy action guided by three core principles - implementing a comprehensive package of adaptation measures, prioritising solutions that support both development and climate resilience and aligning adaptation strategies with long-term development goals to ensure lasting progress. In the release, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, Franziska Ohnsorge, said, "Private sector adaptation could reduce one third of the region's projected climate damage, but this requires governments to strengthen enabling environments."
