IMD issues yellow alert for Thane as moderate rain forecasts return over weekend
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed Thane under a yellow alert on Saturday as moderate rainfall is forecast to return to the region over the weekend. The weather department issued the alert for Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts due to the possibility of heavy rainfall occurring in isolated pockets.
The return of wet weather follows a brief period of soaring temperatures and sunny days. Throughout Saturday, Thane and its neighbouring areas experienced overcast skies and spells of light showers, bringing cooler temperatures to residents.
According to meteorologists, the uptick in rain activity is being driven by an upper air cyclonic circulation and a low-pressure area system. These weather systems are ushering in moisture and inducing rainfall across the region.
The IMD's forecast bulletin indicated that rain intensity is likely to gather pace, with the region expected to record moderate rainfall. While the yellow alert was specifically issued for Saturday, no further alerts have been put in place from Sunday onwards, despite the possibility of a further increase in rain activity.
The regional weather update comes after a week of negligible drizzle. Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s weather stations showed that between Friday and Saturday morning, the eastern suburbs of neighbouring Mumbai recorded the heaviest rain at an average of 15.27 mm, followed by 7.31 mm in the western suburbs and 1.67 mm in the island city. The IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded over 3 mm of rainfall during the same period.
Even before this weekend's expected downpour, the wider region had already recorded significant rainfall for the season. Nearby Mumbai has already surpassed its average monthly rainfall of 920 mm. By Saturday, Mumbai's suburbs had clocked 1,159 mm of rain, spurred by heavy, unabated rainfall that lashed the area between July 1 and July 8. This has resulted in a positive departure of 47 percent above the normal seasonal average rainfall.
