Monsoon Havoc in Mumbai: Flights Diverted, Orange Alert Issued; When Will It Reach Delhi and Uttar Pradesh?

Mumbai, May 26 – The southwest monsoon has arrived early this year, and its impact is already being felt in full force across Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, where torrential rains have flooded streets, disrupted air traffic, and forced the evacuation of residents from structurally weak buildings. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has escalated its warning from yellow to orange alert for Mumbai and nearby coastal regions, signalling the likelihood of very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.

🌧️ Monsoon Arrives in Maharashtra 12 Days Early

The 2024 monsoon season has taken meteorologists by surprise by advancing well ahead of schedule. Typically expected around June 8, the monsoon has hit Maharashtra 12 days early this year, following its early arrival in Kerala by 8 days. The IMD has confirmed that Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar are currently experiencing intense pre-monsoon activity, which is expected to intensify further.

This early arrival is attributed to rapid warming of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, favorable wind shifts, and a strong Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) — a weather pattern that enhances cloud formation over the Indian Ocean.

✈️ Flights Diverted Amid Low Visibility

Due to poor visibility and heavy rain, multiple flights to Mumbai have been diverted. Notable incidents include:

• AIC604 (Goa to Mumbai) redirected to Indore

• AIC614 (Ahmedabad to Mumbai) returned to its point of origin

With conditions expected to worsen, passengers have been advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

🏢 Evacuations and Alerts Across Coastal Areas

Amid fears of lightning strikes and further downpours, the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) has taken preemptive action by:

• Evacuating 96 structurally unsafe buildings

• Relocating over 3,000 residents to safer shelters

• Deploying pumping stations and drainage teams, although rain is hampering these efforts

Fishing communities have been warned to stay away from the sea, and citizens are being urged to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Emergency helplines have been activated across the city.

📅 When Will Monsoon Reach Delhi and Uttar Pradesh?

Currently, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar remain under the grip of hot and dry weather, with occasional clouds and light showers in some areas. According to IMD projections:

• Monsoon has yet to reach the northeast—its usual first stop after Kerala

• Once it reaches the northeast (expected in the next 7 days), it will move toward eastern and central India by June 4

• Uttar Pradesh typically sees monsoon arrive around June 18, beginning with Gorakhpur

• Delhi generally follows a few days later, usually by June 27–30

However, meteorologists suggest that if the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon accelerates, early monsoon arrival in UP and Delhi cannot be ruled out.

🌍 Why Is Monsoon Arriving Early?

Experts attribute the early onset to:

• High sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

• Strong seasonal winds and an active Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)

• Potential influence from El Niño–La Niña oscillations

• Accelerated climate change, which is causing faster ocean heating

This year’s scenario is reminiscent of 2009, when the monsoon reached Kerala on May 23, earlier than usual.

⚠️ IMD Alerts and Recommendations

• Orange alert in place for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar

• Fishermen advised to stay ashore

• Public urged to avoid travel during heavy rainfall periods

• BMC emergency teams on standby for urban flooding and building collapses

✅ In Summary

The monsoon has made a dramatic early entry into Maharashtra, with Mumbai bearing the brunt of its fury. As the rains continue to disrupt normal life, flight operations, public safety, and urban infrastructure are being pushed to the limit. Meanwhile, Delhi and UP will have to wait, possibly until mid to late June, for their turn under the monsoon clouds.