Mumbai Gets Rain Respite as Trains and BEST Buses Run Smoothly
Mumbai residents, including those in the island city, eastern suburbs, and western suburbs, experienced a brief respite from relentless monsoon rains on Thursday morning. The dry spell allowed local trains and BEST bus services to operate smoothly across the city, bringing relief after days of heavy downpours had severely disrupted daily life.
The dry morning followed several days of continuous rainfall that had triggered widespread waterlogging, uprooted trees, traffic congestion, and major disruptions to the suburban rail services. However, on Thursday morning, most parts of Mumbai remained dry despite an overcast sky.
According to official data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the island city recorded an average of 14.21 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8:00 AM on Thursday. During the same 24-hour window, the eastern suburbs received 39.37 mm of rain, while the western suburbs recorded 28.85 mm.
While the morning remained largely rain-free, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the respite might be temporary. The IMD forecast a generally cloudy sky with intermittent light to moderate rain in Mumbai and its suburbs later in the day. The weather department also indicated that heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places.
The BMC added that any potential heavy showers could be accompanied by lightning, thunder, and occasional gusty winds. These winds are expected to reach speeds of 40 to 50 kmph as the day progresses.
The civic body also monitored the tidal movements closely on Thursday. A high tide of 3.49 metres was recorded early in the morning at 7:00 AM. This was followed by a forecast for a low tide of 2.32 metres at 12:29 PM. The BMC warned of another high tide of 3.62 metres expected later in the evening at 6:09 PM.
The smooth operation of the local trains and BEST buses on Thursday morning offered a significant contrast to previous days, when commuters faced severe delays due to water on the tracks and roads. Residents woke up to an overcast but dry start to the day, allowing normal business and travel to resume temporarily before the forecast intermittent rains could arrive.
