It’s that time of the year again when Mumbai gets lashed by Monsoon rains. The hot and humid city for once turns into a rainy and pleasant one when Monsoon makes its onset over Mumbai. But, Mumbai rains are absent this year. All the bhutta stalls and the roadside cutting chai points are empty at this time of the year. Mumbai has only received little amount of rain in the first 12 days of June while past evidence shows that the city has always had more in store.
Past Evidence
Usually, Southwest Monsoon makes its onset over Mumbai on June 10. In fact, the monthly average rainfall for Mumbai stands at a whopping 523.1 mm and only last year, Mumbai received 1106.7 mm of rain in June which happens to be more than double the amount of its monthly rains.
Mumbai not only receives rains after the onset of Monsoon, but also during the first of week of June, before the onset of Monsoon, Pre-Monsoon showers pick up pace. In fact, in the year 2006, Mumbai received 180.4 mm of rain on the first day of June. Also, on June 7, 2008, the city recorded 161.7 mm rainfall in 24 hours.
Current Scenario
This year, Mumbai rains have almost remained absent during the month of June. In fact, almost two weeks have passed and the city has not been able to receive good rains. Only on one occasion has the maximum city recorded 37 mm of rain which is on June 11.
While the weather does become cloudy during the morning hours giving the illusion of rains, rain gods continue to turn their backs on the commercial capital of India. In fact, the onset of southwest Monsoon over Mumbai has already been delayed.
Forecast for Mumbai
The good news is that the long wait for Mumbai rains will finally come to an end. By June 18, moderate to heavy rains are expected to commence over the maximum city giving the residents that much needed taste of Monsoon rains.
The trough which is at present over Kerala extending up to Konkan and Goa is expected to get strengthened in the coming days. Also, a possible cyclonic circulation is expected to develop in Bay of Bengal over Andhra Pradesh coast. The system will also move towards Marathwada.
This weather system will pull the Monsoon surge over Maharashtra coast including Mumbai. Thus, around June 18 and afterwards, good rains are expected to continue over Mumbai giving the residents that much needed relief.
Image Credit: bobbybirje.files.wordpress.com
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com