Mumbai braces for relentless heavy rains, high tides, and worsening flood conditions | Image: Canva
Mumbai has been waking up to heavy rains for the last four days in a row, and the ordeal is expected to continue till midweek. The city recorded the heaviest downpour of this season with 245 mm of rainfall at Santacruz on the morning of 16th August.
The rains have been nearly non-stop and heavy, choking the city and suburbs. The intense rainfall has resulted in waterlogging on streets and roads, especially in low-lying areas. Railway tracks have been submerged as the downpour continued, while road traffic has also been hampered as commuters wade through flooded roads amid poor visibility during dark hours.
The coastal city has recorded over 400 mm of rainfall in the past three days and has already surpassed the monthly quota of 585 mm early in the month. Heavy rains are expected to continue. In addition to the storm surge, an astronomical high tide of 3–4 meters will hit the coastline at about 7 PM this evening. Tomorrow, tides will strike again around 9 AM and 9 PM, shifting by roughly an hour each day. The accumulated water will struggle to recede, and the incoming tide will cause additional backflow, worsening the situation. The degree of difficulty is set to increase significantly for all modes of travel—rail, road, and air.
A low-pressure area is currently marked over Vidarbha and adjoining parts. The cyclonic circulation of this system will move across Marathwada, North Madhya Maharashtra, and Gujarat over the next three days. Vigorous monsoon conditions are likely along the Konkan coast in general and for Mumbai in particular. Rains are expected to intensify further for the city tomorrow and the day after. Even major cities like Pune and Nashik, located on the other side of the Western Ghats, are expected to experience heavy downpours. Weather conditions are likely to improve by 22nd August 2025, though caution will still be required for a day or so, as water bodies continue to respond even after rainfall weakens or ceases. Delhi Rains: Delhi Crosses Monthly And Annual Rainfall, Rainy Week Ahead
