Mumbai Rains Break 107-Year Record, Mark Earliest Monsoon in 75 Years
As heavy rain continues to lash over Maharashtra’s Mumbai, the city on Monday recorded its highest rainfall in 107 years on just the first day of monsoon. As per the Indian Meteorological Department, with the rains in Mumbai, monsoon has also arrived in the city 16 days earlier than usual
Southwest Monsoon has advanced to Mumbai today, 26th May 2025, against the normal date of advancement, 11th June. Thus, the monsoon has arrived in Mumbai 16 days earlier than usual. This marks the earliest monsoon advancement over Mumbai during the period 2001–2025,” read an official statement issued by the IMD.
In addition to the heavy rain and waterlogging woes, Mumbai’s rainfall has broken a record set in 1918.
As per the Indian Express, records from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) show that several parts of South Mumbai received over 200 mm of rain between midnight and 11 am on Monday.
Furthermore, at the Colaba observatory, Mumbai recorded its highest rainfall at 295mm. The previous record was created in May 1918 with rainfall up to 279.4mm.
As per PTI report, IMD data stated that Colaba received 105.2 millimetres of rainfall, Santacruz (55 mm), Bandra (68.5 mm), Juhu Airport (63.5 mm), Chembur (38.5 mm), Vikhroli (37.5 mm), Mahalaxmi (33.5 mm) and Sion (53.5 mm) between 8:30 am to 11 am on Monday.
Earliest monsoon in 75 years
The rains in May also mark Mumbai’s earliest monsoon in 75 years. As per IMD data, the average date for the onset of monsoon season in Mumbai stands at June 11. In 2024, the southwest monsoon began on June 6.
“Southwest monsoon made its onset over Mumbai on May 26. This is the earliest onset in the last 75 years,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Sushma Nair told news agency PTI.
However, with the red alert in the region, the weather department has officially marked the start of the southwest monsoon, 16 days earlier than usual.
On Monday, the IMD upgraded its ‘orange’ alert to red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. Along with a warning in Mumbai, the IMD has also issued alerts for Karnataka, Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.
“Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, , remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of westcentral & North Bay of Bengal, Remaining parts of Mizoram, entire Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, some parts of Assam and Meghalaya, on May 26,” said IMD.
Mumbai, often known as the city that never sleeps, has once again found itself at the center of a significant climatic event. In a historic development, the city recorded one of its heaviest early monsoon downpours in over a century. The rains not only broke a 107-year-old record but also marked the earliest monsoon arrival in the last 75 years, as confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Unprecedented Rainfall
The city received over 300 mm of rain within a short span of 24 hours in several areas, causing massive waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and delays in both rail and air transport. According to weather officials, such an early onset combined with intense precipitation hasn’t been observed since 1917. The monsoon typically hits Mumbai around June 10, but this year it arrived in the first week itself.
The Santacruz observatory, which serves as a key weather monitoring center for Mumbai, recorded rainfall figures that were well above the seasonal average. In contrast, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai reported similar trends, underscoring the widespread nature of the event.
Impact on Daily Life
As expected, the rains brought with them both beauty and chaos. While Mumbaikars welcomed the cool weather and the refreshing breeze after weeks of scorching summer heat, the city’s age-old infrastructure once again buckled under pressure. Local trains were delayed, major roads were submerged, and several flights were diverted or delayed due to poor visibility.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) activated its emergency response teams and pumped out water from low-lying areas, but the volume and intensity of the downpour posed a serious challenge. In several neighborhoods, residents reported power outages, internet disruptions, and traffic jams that lasted for hours.
What the Experts Say
Meteorologists attribute the early and intense rains to a combination of global climate patterns and favorable monsoonal winds from the Arabian Sea. The IMD noted that warm ocean temperatures and strong low-pressure systems contributed to the early onset.
Environmental experts have also warned that such extreme weather patterns are likely to become more frequent in the future due to climate change. Mumbai, being a coastal city, remains highly vulnerable to these fluctuations.
Dr. R.K. Sharma, a senior climate researcher, commented, “The early and excessive rainfall seen in Mumbai is a clear sign of changing climatic behavior. Urban planning must take into account the increased likelihood of such events.”
Preparedness and Precaution
Following the downpour, schools and colleges in several parts of the city declared holidays to avoid exposing students to the hazards of commuting. The BMC and disaster management teams have advised residents to stay indoors during heavy showers and avoid flooded roads.
The Maharashtra state government has also issued alerts to neighboring districts, urging them to prepare for spillover rains and potential flooding. Local authorities are on standby for rescue and relief operations if required.
A Wake-Up Call
While many celebrate the arrival of monsoon as a much-needed relief from heat, the disruption caused by the rains serves as a stark reminder of Mumbai’s infrastructural vulnerabilities. As climate patterns continue to shift, the need for robust urban planning, effective drainage systems, and early warning mechanisms becomes more pressing than ever.
The record-breaking rains of 2024 will go down in history, not just for their intensity and timing, but as a pivotal moment urging the city to prepare better for the future.
Also Read : Mumbai Rains Causes Waterlogging at Worli Metro Just Days After Opening
