Rain returns to Maharashtra, yellow alert in 22 districts including Mumbai, Thane
After a dry spell, heavy rain has resumed across Maharashtra with the weather department issuing alerts for the next several days.
Rain has made a strong comeback in Maharashtra after disappearing for a few days, a break that had pushed up humidity and heat across the state. Rain that began at midnight has brought some relief. According to the weather department, conditions today are favourable for heavy rain with stormy winds across the state, with rain expected in 24 districts.
According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) satellite system, very heavy rain has been forecast for the state over the next five days. A yellow alert has been issued for 22 districts for the next 72 hours.
The Konkan region is expected to see thunder, winds of 30 to 50 kmph and heavy rain, with a yellow alert in place for the region for the next three days. Mumbai, Thane and Palghar are expected to receive moderate to heavy rain today, and several districts of Marathwada have also been given a strong rain warning.
On September 21, moderate to heavy rain with thunder is expected in several districts of central Maharashtra, north Maharashtra and Vidarbha. Rain intensity is expected to increase in some parts of the state over the next two days. A yellow alert has been issued for September 22 for several districts, with rain also possible in parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, south Maharashtra and Konkan.
Districts under yellow alert on September 22 include Gadchiroli, Gondia, Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Hingoli, Washim and Yavatmal in Vidarbha. A yellow alert is also in place for Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Solapur, Pune, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur (ghat areas), as well as the Konkan districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
Meanwhile, Nashik, Palghar, Mumbai, Thane, Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna districts are expected to see cloudy skies, with very light rain showers possible in some areas.
Rain intensity is expected to reduce somewhat on September 23, though some parts of south Maharashtra will continue to see rain. The rest of Maharashtra is likely to see comparatively lower rainfall.
Earlier forecasts had also indicated that rain could intensify in several parts of the state on September 22. People have been urged to take necessary precautions based on local weather forecasts.
