Mumbai Monsoon Shatters 107-Year-Old Rainfall Record as Earliest Arrival in Nearly Seven Decades Brings Chaos
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Mumbai witnessed history in the making on Monday as the monsoon's earliest arrival in 69 years coincided with May rainfall that shattered the city's 107-year-old precipitation record, transforming the financial capital into a waterlogged maze of chaos and disruption.
The India Meteorological Department has issued fresh warnings for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and intense rain spells over the next three to four hours, as the record-breaking deluge continues to test the city's resilience against nature's unprecedented fury.
The deluge, which began late Sunday night and continued through Monday morning, transformed familiar streets into rivers. Dadar, Mahim, Parel, Bandra, and Kalachowki emerged as the worst-hit areas, with knee-deep water forcing vehicles to navigate treacherous roads whilst strong winds added to the misery.
At KEM Hospital, floodwater breached the ground floor, disrupting medical services in one of the city's premier healthcare facilities. Similar scenes of waterlogging plagued Matunga and Hindmata, whilst the Bhiwandi-Wada road in neighbouring Thane district witnessed severe traffic gridlock.
The human cost became evident as rescue teams worked tirelessly to evacuate stranded residents. "48 people were rescued from inundated areas," confirmed the Chief Minister's office, whilst tragically reporting one fatality due to a lightning strike elsewhere in Maharashtra.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who visited the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation control room to assess the situation, urged residents to remain indoors. "BMC and various other government agencies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, SDRF and NDRF, are working together as a team in disaster management and relief work," he stated.
The official added that innovative methods, including robots, were being deployed for drain cleaning operations across the city.
The historic significance of Monday's downpour cannot be understated. Not only has the monsoon arrived 69 years ahead of its typical schedule, but May's rainfall has obliterated a 107-year-old record, marking this as one of the most extraordinary meteorological events in the city's documented history. The southwest monsoon's arrival in Maharashtra on Sunday represented the earliest onset in 35 years, whilst the weather system reached Kerala on Saturday, nearly a week ahead of schedule.
Beyond Mumbai, the state's rural districts felt the monsoon's impact severely. Pune, Satara, Solapur, and Raigad recorded substantial rainfall, with Daund receiving 117mm in 24 hours and Baramati 104.75mm. In Baramati alone, 25 houses partially collapsed, forcing authorities to relocate 70-80 families to safer locations.
"Mobile services that were disrupted yesterday are now being restored," the Chief Minister's office confirmed, indicating gradual recovery efforts.
As Mumbai awakens to another day under monsoon clouds, the weather department's forecast for continued intense spells over the next 24 hours serves as a stark reminder that this record-breaking season has only just begun. With the monsoon's unprecedented early arrival and May's historic rainfall totals, authorities remain on high alert for what promises to be an extraordinary and challenging season ahead.
The metropolis now faces the unique challenge of managing both its economic pulse and public safety whilst grappling with weather patterns that have rewritten the meteorological record books after more than a century.
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water logging in Mumbai after heavy rains (image source social media)

Earliest arrival in 69 years brings chaos as May rainfall shatters century-old milestone

Mumbai Monsoon Breaks Record After 107 Years

Earliest arrival in 69 years brings chaos as May rainfall shatters century-old milestone

May 26, 2025 | 23:06 IST