Maharashtra Drenched: Lonavala Gets 1300mm Rain, Records Broken
Parts of Maharashtra have experienced exceptional rainfall over the past few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting that Lonavala, a popular hill station, recorded 1,300 mm of rainfall between July 5 and the morning of July 8, 2026. Another hill station, Mahabaleshwar, recorded 525 mm during the same period. In the IMD's classification, rainfall above 200 mm is categorised as 'extremely high'.
Mahabaleshwar received 513 mm of rainfall on July 6 alone, which the IMD says is the highest 24-hour rainfall ever recorded there. This amount is nearly one-tenth of its average annual rainfall of 5,710 mm.
Coastal areas were also hit hard. Palghar station reported 304 mm on July 7, against a normal of just 26.7 mm – a more than tenfold increase. Raigad saw 115 mm against a normal of 33 mm.
The heavy rains, caused by a depression that originated in the Bay of Bengal combined with strong monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea, have wiped out the monsoon deficits in several coastal districts of Maharashtra. However, they have also triggered landslides, tunnel collapses, and disruptions in transport and daily life.
This year is an El Niño year, which typically results in below-normal rainfall over India. The IMD's seasonal forecast had predicted below-normal monsoon rainfall for 2026. Experts note that heavy rainfall in pockets can still occur even in deficit years. 'The current monsoon activity is expected to last until July 10. After this, no other significant low-pressure systems are expected to form in the near horizon,' said O.P. Sreejith, a senior meteorologist at IMD-Pune. 'The outlook for July overall is expected to be below normal,' he added.
The IMD urges residents in affected areas to stay alert for further heavy rainfall and possible flooding. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have issued advisories for tourists and local communities.
