The Crossbill News Desk
Torrential rains lashed India’s financial capital on Monday (May 26) as the southwest monsoon made its arrival nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, causing widespread waterlogging, flight and train delays, and disruption to daily life.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the monsoon hit Mumbai on May 27 — 16 days earlier than usual. Typically expected around June 11, this marks the city’s earliest onset of the monsoon since 2001.
“The Southwest Monsoon has advanced to Mumbai today, 26th May 2025, against the normal date of advancement, 11th June. Thus, the monsoon has arrived in Mumbai 16 days earlier than usual,” IMD said in a statement.
According to IMD, it's also the earliest monsoon arrival in Maharashtra in 14 years.
While the rains were a welcome relief from the summer heat and vital for farmers and their crops, they also brought familiar urban chaos. Several low-lying areas of Mumbai were submerged, prompting authorities to issue a red alert for the city until Tuesday.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, warning of more heavy downpours.
Transport Chaos Across City
The downpour significantly affected transportation. Multiple flights in and out of Mumbai were delayed, and airlines like Air India and SpiceJet issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Train services were also hit, with several railway tracks under water, leading to delays of 5–10 minutes on most routes.
While officials later reported partial restoration of services, disruption remained. Mumbai Metro Line 3 suspended operations between Acharya Atre Chowk and Worli after water entered underground stations.
The BMC and the Maharashtra Housing and Urban Development Authority (MHADA) declared 96 residential buildings as unsafe for habitation during the monsoon. Over 3,100 residents have been ordered to relocate to safer accommodations.
Authorities are taking precautionary steps to avoid major incidents during the season.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited flood-affected areas in Baramati on Monday morning to assess the situation. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde have directed all disaster response teams and agencies to remain on high alert.
South Asia has been witnessing increasingly erratic weather patterns, with scientists warning that climate change is likely influencing monsoon behaviour, though the precise dynamics remain complex.
The southwest monsoon is a crucial weather system that brings 70–80% of India’s annual rainfall between June and September. It sustains agriculture and is essential to the livelihoods of millions. Yet, while it is a lifeline for many, it also brings annual destruction in the form of floods and landslides.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the monsoon hit Mumbai on May 27 — 16 days earlier than usual. Typically expected around June 11, this marks the city’s earliest onset of the monsoon since 2001.
“The Southwest Monsoon has advanced to Mumbai today, 26th May 2025, against the normal date of advancement, 11th June. Thus, the monsoon has arrived in Mumbai 16 days earlier than usual,” IMD said in a statement.
According to IMD, it's also the earliest monsoon arrival in Maharashtra in 14 years.
Southwest Monsoon Advances to Mumbai Today, 26th May 2025
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 26, 2025
The Southwest Monsoon has advanced to Mumbai today, 26th May 2025, against the normal date of advancement, 11th June. Thus, the monsoon has arrived in Mumbai 16 days earlier than usual. This marks the earliest monsoon… pic.twitter.com/mVKPUxvMJI
While the rains were a welcome relief from the summer heat and vital for farmers and their crops, they also brought familiar urban chaos. Several low-lying areas of Mumbai were submerged, prompting authorities to issue a red alert for the city until Tuesday.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, warning of more heavy downpours.
Transport Chaos Across City
The downpour significantly affected transportation. Multiple flights in and out of Mumbai were delayed, and airlines like Air India and SpiceJet issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Train services were also hit, with several railway tracks under water, leading to delays of 5–10 minutes on most routes.
While officials later reported partial restoration of services, disruption remained. Mumbai Metro Line 3 suspended operations between Acharya Atre Chowk and Worli after water entered underground stations.
The BMC and the Maharashtra Housing and Urban Development Authority (MHADA) declared 96 residential buildings as unsafe for habitation during the monsoon. Over 3,100 residents have been ordered to relocate to safer accommodations.
Authorities are taking precautionary steps to avoid major incidents during the season.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited flood-affected areas in Baramati on Monday morning to assess the situation. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde have directed all disaster response teams and agencies to remain on high alert.
South Asia has been witnessing increasingly erratic weather patterns, with scientists warning that climate change is likely influencing monsoon behaviour, though the precise dynamics remain complex.
The southwest monsoon is a crucial weather system that brings 70–80% of India’s annual rainfall between June and September. It sustains agriculture and is essential to the livelihoods of millions. Yet, while it is a lifeline for many, it also brings annual destruction in the form of floods and landslides.
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