Southwest Monsoon bids farewell yet light to moderate rains expected in Mumbai till Oct 19

The Regional Meteorological Department (RMD) has issued a Yellow Alert today in Mumbai, signalling thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) in isolated spots. Experts say this is just the distinctive nature of October, linked to the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon.

This year's withdrawal is a week later than the official date for the city, which is October 8. In comparison, last year’s withdrawal was declared much later, on October 23. Further, IMD has indicated that light to moderate rains for Mumbai may continue until 19 October, Saturday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that “Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the entire country today, the 15th October 2024. Simultaneously, the Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity has commenced over the south peninsular India.” 

So far this October, Mumbai recorded significant rainfall activity, Colaba observatory has registered 113 mm of rain, while Santacruz stands with 71 mm. In the case of Colaba, the rains have surpassed the average for the month, which is 89.3 mm. This surge in unseasonal showers and thunderstorms in Mumbai is currently being caused by two weather systems brewing in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.