Monsoon arrives in Maharashtra, high alert in Mumbai

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday confirmed that the monsoon has arrived in Maharashtra even as Mumbai remains on high alert in view of forecasts predict heavy rains in the city over the next 48-72 hours.

Pre-monsoon showers in Mumbai yesterday disrupted the normal life as the local trains serivces were affected. Trains running on Mumbai's suburban railway Central line were delayed by at least 20 minutes. Some flights also had to be diverted to Ahmedabad as the downpour was heavy.

The IMD has been warning that Mumbai and surrounding areas may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall from June 8 to June 10.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cancelled weekend offs of its employees so that they remain on standby to deal with any possible disruptions due to the downpour.

Coastal Maharashtra and Goa remain particularly vulnarable as the can really be heavy in these parts. As per the IMD forecast, there is a possibility of very heavy rainfall in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts on June 9. There is a similar forecast for the six districts of Konkan region, including Mumbai, and surrounding areas on June 10 and 11.

People in Mumbai can dial 1916 and those outside Mumbai can dial 1077 in case of emergency.