Thane District Records Unprecedented 773 mm Rainfall In First Week Of July 2026
Thane district, including areas like Bhiwandi, Thane city, and Kalyan-Dombivli, experienced unprecedented torrential rainfall during the first week of July 2026. The district recorded 773.1 mm of rain in just seven days, which is nearly 3.5 times its historical weekly average, prompting the district administration to shut schools and restrict public access to tourist spots.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the heavy rainfall defied earlier El Niño projections of a deficit monsoon. The recorded weekly total marks an increase of 98.4 mm compared to the same period last year. The historical weekly average for the district stands at 212.8 mm.
The relentless three-to-four-day downpour caused widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas across Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi, and surrounding regions. Uprooted trees and flooded streets heavily impacted rail and road transport, disrupting daily life for local residents.
Rainfall data collected at the taluka level revealed that Bhiwandi registered the highest weekly rainfall in the district at 937.2 mm. Thane closely followed with 932.9 mm. Other areas also recorded figures significantly above their July averages, including Ulhasnagar with 839 mm, Ambernath with 817.6 mm, Kalyan with 697.3 mm, Shahapur with 658.7 mm, and Murbad with 609.2 mm.
In response to the severe weather conditions, the Thane district administration declared a holiday for all local schools and colleges. Government offices were granted a half-day, and private firms received a work-from-home advisory to keep commuters off the flooded roads.
Additionally, authorities implemented a strict ban on public access to vulnerable tourist destinations, including waterfalls, rivers, dams, and hill forts, to prevent accidents.
Emergency teams, including disaster management cells, local civic bodies, police, and the fire brigade, were actively deployed to manage relief operations. With the IMD forecasting continued heavy spells, authorities have strongly urged citizens to avoid flood-prone zones and follow official guidelines.
