Mumbai Gets Highest 24-Hour December Rainfall in a Decade

The unexpected rains began on Monday evening and will likely continue till Thursday, reports the Weather bureau.

A file photo of rains in Mumbai.

(Photo: Reuters)

Mumbai on Monday reported the highest amount of rainfall to take place in the month of December, in about a decade, says Hindustan Times (HT). It is also the first time since 2014, that it has rained in the city in December. The sudden rainfall, reports India.com, seems to be an effect of the Cyclone Ockhi, which has caused considerable damage in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other nearby areas.

The HT report also says that the Santa Cruz weather station, which works as the representative of the whole of Mumbai, and especially the suburbs, recorded 7mm rain, while Colaba, which is exclusively the representative of south Mumbai, recorded 11.4mm. According to HT, the highest recorded rainfall of all time for the month of December was recorded on 12 December, 1967 and was listed at 31.4mm.

While the weather bureau has warned of heavy rainfall for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and other districts in north Madhya Maharashtra, it has added that rumours of a cyclone hitting Mumbai or other adjoining areas are completely false, reports HT.

Rumours of a cyclone hitting Mumbai are absolutely incorrect and such false messages will only increase panic.

KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD tells <i>HT</i>

Rain-filled streets in Andheri, Mumbai.(Photo courtesy: ANI)

He also added that the Cyclone Ockhi, which is the cause behind this unexpected rainfall, is expected to reduce in strength from ‘severe’ to ‘deep depression’ to a ‘depression’ as it goes more north-east.

During its journey, it may bring heavy rainfall over the north of the Konkan coast and with higher intensity over the Gujarat region, he said.

The Mumbai coastline can expect high speed winds from Monday night to Wednesday morning with speeds ranging between 50-60 kmph to 70 kmph, reports HT. 

Streets are starting to get flooded in Andheri, Mumbai because of the heavy rainfall.(Photo courtesy: ANI)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also put out a separate warning for people living close to the sea, in areas such as Shivaji Park, Dadar areas and Cadell Road, Mahim, reports HT. It added that BMC has put across special instructions to the people expected at Shivaji Park on 6 December, on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti.

A precautionary holiday was also listed for schools in Mumbai, as per the call of the Education Ministry, reports India.com.

According to ANI, the Central Railways also have updated their emergency numbers and has deployed more than 250 railway police force and Maharashtra State Security Force personnel on account of managing the crowds and activities related thereof, at the different stations.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times, India.com and ANI)