IMD forecast on heavy rains falls flat as Mumbai receives only minimal showers

In stark contrast to Tuesday’s yellow alert, the city received minimal showers even as the skies overcast throughout the day. Data showed that between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Tuesday, the Santacruz station received 1.2 mm rain while the Colaba station recorded 16.6 mm rain.

On Monday too, the IMD drew flak for failing to issue timely forecasts. Even as only a yellow alert was sounded on Sunday, the city started receiving heavy rain starting Sunday night with several pockets receiving over 200 rains on Monday morning. It was after incessant showers continued to lash the city into the day that the IMD first upgraded its forecast warning to an orange alert, later upgrading it to red alert.

For its part, the IMD maintains an extended ‘yellow alert’, even on occasions when it only ends up receiving light rains, as a precautionary measure as well as on the basis of the impact of rain in the previous days. Furthermore, SOPs are issued on the basis of conducive weather conditions for rainfall.

Meanwhile, the yellow alert in Mumbai will remain in place until Thursday morning with the IMD stating the likelihood of heavy rainfall. Following Thursday, the city may experience light to moderate showers, as per the forecasts.