Mumbai Under Orange Alert as Heavy Rains Lash City; Monsoon Deficit Threatens Crops
Mumbai experienced heavy overnight rains on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) as the southwest monsoon finally arrived in the city, 13 days after its normal onset date. Several areas faced waterlogging, but officials confirmed that all major subways remained open and traffic movement was largely unaffected.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange' alert at 7 a.m. for the next three hours, forecasting moderate to intense spells of rain for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Sindhudurg districts. The department also advised fishermen along the South Maharashtra-Goa coast to avoid venturing into the sea from June 22 to June 26.
In a related development, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) that the government has identified 111 districts as highly vulnerable to crop damage due to a 43% monsoon deficit driven by El Niño conditions. He added that weak monsoon conditions are likely to persist until July 2, threatening kharif sowing operations.
