Weather Update: IMD indicates intense rainfall to continue in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai areas

Weather Update: India Meteorological Department (IMD) today said that intense rainfall to continue in North Konkan areas including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, & Palghar for the next 4-6 hours. In last 24 hours, Mumbai and surrounding areas received widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places, and its impact was witnessed more towards suburbs including Thane and Navi Mumbai areas. 

Private weather forcaster SkymetWeather said, "As reiterated by Skymet, three digit rains have lashed Mumbai. Santa Cruz in #Mumbai recorded 101 mm of #rain in 21 hours from 8.30 am yesterday to 5.30 am today. Expect moderate to heavy rains today as well."

Heavy rainfall has affected traffic on Western Express Highway which is waterlogged due incessant rains in Jogeshwari. Report coming in says that all government schools will remain closed in Thane today, as the Thane Municipal Corporation has issued the orders in view of continuous rainfall in the city.

Maharashtra: Palghar Collector Kailash Shinde has issued orders that all schools & colleges in Palghar will remain closed today, in view of continuous rainfall in the area. https://t.co/zyLq3fIgRB

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2019

Notably, landslide occurred near Mauje Dhamandevi village in Raigad near Poladpur on Mumbai-Goa highway today, following incessant rainfall. The Mumbai-Goa highway closed for traffic from both sides. Road-clearing operation is underway by Police and administration, according to ANI report.

In Palghar too streets are waterlogged and houses submerged in water, in the wake of heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Odisha government has directed collectors of five districts to remain alert in view of heavy rains forecast by IMD.

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Earlier on Thursday, IMD said that monsoon rains are expected to be 100% of a long-term average in August and September, making up for a shortfall in the first two months of the season that began in June. The statement further said that crop-nourishing monsoon rains are expected to be 99% of the long-term average in August.

The IMD defined average, or normal, rainfall as between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 89 centimetres for the entire four-month season beginning June. Monsoon rains play a crucial role in agriculture - which employs 50% of India`s workforce - as nearly half of the country`s farmland lacks irrigation.

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Water levels in India`s main reservoirs were at 33% of their storage capacity, against 45% at the same time last year, according to the latest government data.