Mumbai: Mumbai experienced its first significant pre-monsoon showers of the season on Friday, as moderate rainfall was recorded in Mulund and nearby eastern suburbs such as Bhandup, bringing much-needed relief from the ongoing heat and humidity.
Videos of the showers rapidly appeared on social media, depicting soaked parked vehicles and rain-drenched surroundings in what locals called the city’s first substantial spell before the monsoon season. The clips, said to be filmed from a residential building’s parking area in Mulund, showed buses, motorcycles, and cars thoroughly drenched as the rain swept across the neighborhood.
IMD Estimated Monsoon In Mumbai Around June 5
This development follows shortly after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that monsoon conditions were steadily forming. IMD Mumbai Director Bikram Singh had earlier noted that the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in Kerala around May 26 and, if conditions evolve as expected, could advance into Maharashtra by June 2 and reach Mumbai by approximately June 5.
Weather monitors tracking rainfall across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) had likewise forecast conditions favourable for showers. Well-known weather enthusiast Rishikesh Agre, popularly known online as 'Mumbai Rains', had noted earlier in the day that the atmospheric setup looked suitable for more intense rain activity over Mumbai and nearby areas.
Mumbai is likely to see improved rainfall activity from this evening onward. Yesterday, cloud formations briefly intensified near the ghats but could not maintain their strength. Weather conditions today and tomorrow appear much more conducive to showers across many areas of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Keep your umbrellas handy, he posted on X.
Coincidentally, the rainfall came on a day when Mumbai also saw a marked improvement in air quality. Residents woke up to clearer skies and fresher air, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) firmly staying in the ‘good’ range.
Air quality data shows that Mumbai’s AQI was 29 in the early hours of Friday. Multiple areas in south and western Mumbai experienced notably clean air. Andheri reported an AQI of only 8, while Worli recorded 10. Gamdevi registered 13, and both Kandivali East and Walkeshwar reported AQI levels of 15.