Mumbai Monsoon LIVE: Thunderstorm alert sounded as southwest monsoon deficit climbs to 43%

The southwest monsoon's nationwide shortfall has grown from 35% to 43%, and the seasonal winds have halted their northward march near Mumbai. Both the U.S. NOAA and the IMD are projecting a moderate-to-strong El Niño event during the current year. The Agriculture Ministry has identified 111 districts from a pool of 315 vulnerable ones and placed them on a priority list, using irrigation coverage as the selection criterion. Persistent extreme heat has been taking a toll on the productivity of agricultural labourers in the field. A combination of high temperatures and inadequate rainfall has stirred fears over the cardamom crop in Idukki — a development that bodes ill for other plantation crops spread across the Western Ghats. Read more

Akasa Air has put out travel advisories for passengers flying to and from Mumbai and Dharamshala, warning of possible disruptions linked to unfavourable weather conditions. The carrier stated that heavy downpours in Mumbai could trigger delays across its entire network, and requested travellers to check their flight status before departing for the airport. In a statement, the airline said: "Due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai, some flights across our network may be delayed. We realise that this may inconvenience your travel plans and seek your patience and understanding. While this situation is completely beyond our control, please rest assured that our teams are always ready to assist you."

IMD has forecast heavy rainfall over the Western Ghats zones of Tamil Nadu starting July 1, as the southwest monsoon continues to hold active across the state. The Regional Meteorological Centre's latest weather bulletin states that isolated spots across Nilgiris, Theni, Dindigul, Erode, and Salem districts — along with the ghat tracts of Coimbatore and Tirupur districts — are likely to receive moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph from Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The bulletin further noted that a trough running from north coastal Tamil Nadu to the Comorin area, extending up to 0.9 km above mean sea level, is set to bring light to moderate showers at isolated places, with thunderstorm and lightning activity at one or two locations, over the remainder of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal during the same period.

Mumbai is readying itself for a surge in rainfall after the IMD put out forecasts of heavy showers and thunderstorm activity for the city and its suburbs, according to civic officials. Per the weather bulletin released at 8 a.m., the city is expected to see heavy rain beneath a predominantly overcast sky, with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning striking at scattered locations. The department had earlier placed the city under a yellow alert, signalling the chance of heavy rainfall at isolated spots. The alert level could be revised later in the day depending on how conditions unfold.