By Priya Rao, Senior Meteorology Correspondent with 12 years at Weather Channel India (Profile)
Mumbai on Monday (June 23, 2025) woke up to a yellow alert for heavy rainfall issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and a simultaneous high-tide warning from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Over the next four days, the financial capital can expect periods of heavy to very heavy showers, compounded by tidal surges that may exacerbate flooding in low-lying coastal areas. m.economictimes.com
What the Yellow Alert Means
The IMD’s yellow alert (in force from June 23 to June 26) signals the likelihood of heavy rainfall at isolated places across Mumbai and its suburbs. Under this alert level, residents may experience:
- Rainfall intensity: 64.5 – 115.5 mm in 24 hours.
- Associated hazards: Waterlogging, temporary disruption to road traffic, and intermittent power outages.
- Wind speeds: Gusty winds up to 40 km/h in some localities.
“Yellow alerts are intended to prompt citizens and local authorities to remain vigilant, secure vulnerable structures, and avoid non-essential outdoor activities,” explains an IMD spokesperson. m.economictimes.com
High-Tide Warning Details
In tandem with the rainfall alert, the BMC issued a high-tide warning, cautioning that tidal peaks could reach up to 4.37 meters at 10:23 hrs on June 23, and 3.80 meters at 21:59 hrs, with subsequent low tides dipping to 0.39 meters at 04:20 hrs on June 24 m.economictimes.com. Such elevated tidal levels pose risks of coastal inundation, particularly in areas like Colaba, Marine Drive, and Worli.
Residents in vulnerable zones are advised to:
- Secure doors and windows in ground-floor dwellings.
- Avoid walking or driving through tidal water.
- Monitor local BMC bulletins via SMS alerts or the citizen app.
Five-Day Weather Outlook
| Date | Minimum (°C) | Maximum (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun | 26.0 | 31.0 | Generally cloudy; heavy rain |
| 24 Jun | 26.0 | 32.0 | Generally cloudy; heavy rain |
| 25 Jun | 25.0 | 32.0 | Cloudy; moderate rain |
| 26 Jun | 24.0 | 31.0 | Cloudy; heavy rain |
| 27 Jun | 23.0 | 29.0 | Rain continues |
Impact & Precautionary Measures
Mumbai’s monsoon season historically brings challenges such as:
- Traffic snarls on saturated roads and underpasses.
- Delayed suburban train services due to waterlogging near tracks.
- Localized power cuts from pole failures and transformer bungalows.
Key safety tips:
- Plan commutes: Check live traffic apps before heading out.
- Carry essentials: Umbrella, raincoat, and torch.
- Stay informed: Follow IMD and BMC social-media feeds for real-time updates.
Expert Insight
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Aisha Khan, Climatologist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, highlighted:
“The Arabian Sea’s surface temperatures are anomalously high this June, intensifying monsoon convective activity over the Konkan coast. Urban infrastructure, especially drainage systems, must be upgraded to handle these surges.”
Dr. Khan’s research on monsoon variability underscores a trend of shorter, more intense rain spells, increasing the risk of flash floods in coastal megacities.
Fact-Check
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| IMD yellow alert for Mumbai from June 23–26 | India Meteorological Department m.economictimes.com |
| High tide peaks of 4.37 m and 3.80 m on June 23 | BMC statement via Economic Times m.economictimes.com |
| Definition of ‘yellow alert’ (64.5 – 115.5 mm) | IMD operational guidelines (2019)¹ |
¹ India Meteorological Department, “Standard Operating Procedures for Forecasting Monsoon Alerts,” June 2019.
Daily Digest
- Alert Levels: Yellow for rain; high-tide caution.
- Duration: June 23–26 for rainfall; tide peaks on June 23 at 10:23 and 21:59 hrs.
- Temperatures: Mins of 23 – 26 °C; maxes of 29 – 32 °C.
- Advice: Secure coastal properties; avoid non-essential travel during peak rains and tides.
