Mumbai on Orange Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy to Very Heavy Rain in Parts of Maharashtra

Mumbai remained under an orange alert on Sunday (September 13, 2026), with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. Several other districts of Maharashtra were also placed under warnings for heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning valid until 8.30 a.m. on Monday (September 14, 2026).

In its district-level evening forecast issued at 6 p.m., the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Mumbai, said heavy to very heavy rain was “very likely” at isolated places in the city. Rainfall intensity is expected to ease thereafter, with moderate rain forecast for September 14, light to moderate rain on September 15 and 16, and light rain on September 17. The IMD’s official district-warning portal also listed September 13 among the current warning dates.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said a 4.46-metre-high tide occurred at 1.05 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a low tide of 0.44 metres at 7.13 p.m. The next high tide is expected at 1.38 a.m. on Monday, when the sea level is forecast to reach 4.43 metres, followed by a 1.21-metre low tide at 7.17 a.m.

An orange alert, under the IMD’s colour-coded warning system, indicates that authorities should be prepared for severe weather. The department has cautioned that spells of heavy rain can cause localised waterlogging or flooding in low-lying and urban areas, disrupt traffic and transport, uproot weak trees and damage poorly maintained structures. It also warned of rough sea conditions along the Konkan coast and the possibility of landslides or rockfalls in vulnerable areas.

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the adjoining Konkan belt, Thane was forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, while Raigad could see isolated heavy rain. Palghar faced a more severe forecast, with thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places.

Elsewhere in Maharashtra, Nandurbar was placed in the highest warning category shown in the IMD bulletin, with thunderstorms, lightning and heavy to extremely heavy rain forecast at one or two places. The Nashik ghats could face heavy to extremely heavy rain along with thunderstorms and lightning, while Dhule could receive heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph.

Heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of up to 40-50 kmph, was also forecast at isolated places in Jalgaon, Nashik, the Pune ghats, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna. Similar heavy-rain and thunderstorm warnings were in place in parts of Vidarbha, including Akola, Amravati, Buldhana and Washim.

The overall intensity of the rainfall is expected to reduce considerably from Monday in most parts of the State. Residents in the affected districts have been advised to follow local administration advisories, avoid venturing near the coast during rough sea conditions, and take precautions in areas prone to waterlogging and rockfalls.