Monsoon fails to meet expectations in Mumbai, 35 per cent deficit in June

Amid a lull of two weeks, the rain deficit in Mumbai suburbs touched 52 per cent last week, while the city division registered a deficit of 50 per cent. With the rain activity gathering pace from June 20, the city experienced moderate to heavy showers, with the rain deficit came down significantly.

However, despite the intermittent spells of moderate showers, the suburbs of Mumbai recorded a shortfall of nearlly 190 mm rain from its actual average June rainfall quota, leading the city to reel under a 35 per cent rain deficit this month.

Data procured by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that between June 1 and June 30 (morning), the Santacruz observatory registered 347 mm rain, falling short by nearly 190 mm from its typical average of 537 mm rainfall. The Colaba coastal observatory, meanwhile, fared much better, having received over 507 mm rain during the same period, which is categorised as “normal”.

Despite early onset of monsoon and the IMD forecasting an above average monsoon across the country, “very heavy showers” typical of Mumbai monsoons have eluded the city so far, owing to absence of strong weather systems, which usher in downpour in the metropolis.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Sushma Nair, scientist, IMD Mumbai, said, “Even though there was an early onset, the westerly winds did not have much strength and therefore, they could pull in moisture and bring heavy showers. Besides, we did not witness any major rain giving systems in June.”

Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather Services said, “Weather systems such as the low pressure area, which are conducive to bringing heavy rains, have not developed so far. Secondly, systems like off-shore troughs have been very weak so far. Therefore, Mumbai has not been receiving very heavy showers.”
According to weather experts, while moderate showers are here to stay, the city is unlikely to witness intense rain activity for the next few days at least.

For Monday, the IMD has sounded a yellow alert in Mumbai and Thane stating the likelihood of heavy showers while no warning has been issued from Tuesday.
Meanwhile, according to IMD data, between Saturday and Sunday morning, the Santacruz station received 25 mm rain while Colaba received 15.8 mm rainfall.

SHOWERS RECEDE

Rain recorded in June 2024
Mumbai suburbs: 347 mm
Mumbai city: 507 mm
Hottest June day of the year: June 25 (36.4 degrees Celsius)

June rainfall in Mumbai suburbs over the past few years

2023 – 549.6 mm
2022 – 291.8 mm
2021 – 961.4 mm
2020 – 395 mm
2019 – 515.1 mm
2018 – 792.5 mm
2017 – 523 mm

June records

Wettest June so far: 2015 (1106.7 mm rain was recorded in June)
Driest June so far: 1995 (82.2 mm rain in June)
Maximum showers in 24 hours ever recorded in June: 1991 (399 mm rain was recorded in 24 hours)
Hottest June temperature on record: 2023 (38.5 degrees Celsius on June 11)