Mumbai monsoon: IMD orange alert as overnight rain brings 78 mm, waterlogging
Synopsis
The southwest monsoon arrived in Mumbai overnight with 78 mm of rain, triggering waterlogging across the city and a tree-fall in Thane. The IMD's orange alert for Mumbai and Palghar signals this is only the beginning — conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to push deeper into Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh in the days ahead.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai recorded an average of 78 mm of rainfall overnight on 24 June as the southwest monsoon set in.
The IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Palghar , warning of intense rain and winds of 40–60 kmph .
Severe waterlogging was reported in several parts of the city; a tree fell on vehicles in Thane , cleared by fire brigade and disaster management teams.
Suburban rail , BEST buses , and major subways continued to operate normally despite the heavy downpour.
The monsoon has further advanced into Maharashtra , Telangana , Odisha , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand , and Bihar , with more states in line.
Mumbai was lashed by heavy overnight rainfall on Wednesday, 24 June, as the southwest monsoon formally set in over the financial capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert — valid for three hours — for Mumbai and Palghar early Wednesday, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–60 kmph. Average rainfall recorded across the city stood at 78 mm.
Orange Alert and Weather Warnings
The IMD warned of 'intense to very intense spells of rain' at isolated places, accompanied by lightning and strong winds. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) relayed the alert via a post on X, quoting the weather department directly. Authorities advised residents to exercise caution throughout the day as conditions remained volatile.
Waterlogging and Incident in Thane
Incessant overnight showers triggered severe waterlogging in several parts of the city. In Thane, a tree collapsed onto four vehicles — two four-wheelers and two two-wheelers — following the heavy rain. Personnel from the fire brigade and staff from the Vartak Nagar Ward Committee Disaster Management Cell responded with one fire tender, cutting and clearing the fallen tree from the site, officials said.
City Services Remain Operational
Despite the disruption, essential services held up. According to the BMC, all major subways in Mumbai remained open and traffic movement was largely smooth. Suburban railway services ran without interruption, and BEST bus operations continued as normal — a contrast to past monsoon onsets that have paralysed the city's transport network.
Monsoon Advance Across Maharashtra and Beyond
The IMD confirmed that the southwest monsoon has progressed into the remaining parts of central Arabian Sea, additional areas of Maharashtra including Mumbai, remaining parts of Telangana and Odisha, and further regions of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. Conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to advance further into Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh in the coming days, the department stated. Residents across these states should brace for continued heavy rainfall in the near term.
Point of View
Year after year, is only marginally. Waterlogging returning on the very first heavy night suggests the city's drainage infrastructure continues to lag its rainfall intensity. The IMD's orange alert system has improved warning lead times, but without commensurate ground-level response capacity, alerts alone do not keep feet dry. As the monsoon pushes into Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the pressure on inter-state flood coordination will only grow.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMD orange alert issued for Mumbai on 24 June?
The IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Palghar early on Wednesday, 24 June, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, intense to very intense spells of rain, and gusty winds reaching 40–60 kmph. The alert was valid for three hours and advised residents to remain cautious throughout the day.
How much rain did Mumbai receive overnight on 24 June?
Mumbai recorded an average of 78 mm of rainfall overnight as the southwest monsoon set in over the city. Severe waterlogging was reported in several parts of the city as a result.
What incident occurred in Thane due to the heavy rain?
A tree fell on four vehicles — two four-wheelers and two two-wheelers — in Thane following the overnight downpour. Fire brigade personnel and staff from the Vartak Nagar Ward Committee Disaster Management Cell responded and cleared the tree from the site.
Were Mumbai's transport services affected by the monsoon rains?
No major disruptions were reported. According to the BMC, all major subways stayed open, suburban railway services ran as usual, and BEST bus operations continued without interruption despite the heavy rainfall.
Which other states will the southwest monsoon advance into next?
The IMD has stated that conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. The monsoon has already progressed into parts of Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
