Mumbai: In a welcome change from the summer heat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted light drizzles and thundershowers for Mumbai and surrounding areas next week. While no alerts are currently in place for Mumbai, a yellow alert has been issued for Thane and Raigad from March 31 to April 1.

The Santacruz observatory recorded 33.6 degrees Celsius, while Colaba noted 31 degrees. Predictions suggest rising temperatures may exceed 36 degrees over the weekend, but this could be tempered by expected rain and thunderstorms starting Monday, with heavier rainfall anticipated in Thane and Raigad.

Post-precipitation, maximum temperatures in Mumbai are expected to fall to around 33 degrees Celsius after April 2. While pre-monsoon showers in summer are unusual, Mumbai has previously experienced such weather, with March 2023 marking a record of about 17 mm of rainfall—its wettest March. Comparatively, the Santacruz observatory recorded 10 mm in 2016 and 13 mm in 2015.

In preparation for the upcoming monsoon, Bhushan Gagrani, chief of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), convened a high-level meeting emphasizing proactive measures, including a joint survey of areas prone to waterlogging across the city.

According to report by Mid-day, During a pre-monsoon meeting at the civic headquarters on Friday, Bhushan Gagrani, chair of the district disaster management authority, instructed BMC ward officials to clear debris and barricades after work completion to prepare for the forthcoming Mumbai monsoon. He underscored the necessity of a joint survey of waterlogging-prone areas for formulating preventive measures and called for effective coordination among agencies to ensure uninterrupted suburban railway services. Gagrani urged Assistant Commissioners to work closely with relevant parties for debris clearance.

The meeting involved all additional Commissioners of the BMC, officials, and representatives from various government agencies. Gagrani highlighted the importance of operational public announcement systems at railway stations and mandated tree trimming on railway premises to be finished by the end of May. To mitigate risks from heavy rains, it was announced that 482 dewatering pumps will be deployed in low-lying city areas. He suggested using geo-tagging technology to monitor pump operations, emphasizing accountability for delays in addressing malfunctions.

Gagrani also raised concerns regarding certain locations in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs at risk of landslides, instructing the district administration to implement precautionary measures, including relocating residents from high-risk zones and providing disaster preparedness training.

Additionally, officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) confirmed their readiness for emergency rescue operations during the monsoon, while the Indian Navy was directed to keep its teams and divers prepared for deployment as necessary. These collective actions reflect a proactive stance toward disaster management, focusing on hazard mitigation, operational readiness, and enhancing community safety amidst the impending monsoon.