Heavy Rain to Lash Mumbai Again: Intense Spell Expected Between August 18 and 20
After a relatively dry fortnight, Mumbai is likely to witness a fresh bout of heavy rainfall, with weather conditions expected to take a dramatic turn later this week. The last significant rain event occurred between July 20 and 25, after which the city has experienced only sporadic, light showers.
July, typically the wettest month for Mumbai, records an average of 919.9 mm of rainfall, followed by August with a monthly average of 560.8 mm. However, in the first 13 days of August this year, the city has received just 65 mm of rain—well below the seasonal average.
This lull in rainfall is expected to end soon. A low-pressure area has formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal, off the coasts of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. Meteorological models indicate that the system is likely to intensify and track westward, moving across Odisha and southern Chhattisgarh.
By August 18, the system may reach north Madhya Maharashtra and the adjoining regions of southwest Madhya Pradesh. As it progresses, strong westerly winds from the Arabian Sea are expected to strengthen over south Gujarat, Konkan, and Goa—including Mumbai—enhancing the monsoon surge.
This will likely result in heavy to very heavy rainfall across Mumbai and its suburbs between August 18 and 20. The city may face flash floods, waterlogging, and significant traffic disruptions, potentially affecting normal life. This could turn out to be one of the most intense rain events of the season.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve after August 20, as the weather system shifts toward the northeast Arabian Sea.
