Mumbai, June 25 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Maharashtra on Thursday and issued weather alerts for 31 districts. Of these, 25 districts have been placed under a yellow alert, while six districts are under an orange alert, indicating the likelihood of continued rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported 113 incidents of tree and branch falls across the city in the last 24 hours.

According to BMC records, 40 such incidents were reported in the city area, 23 in the eastern suburbs and 50 in the western suburbs, as heavy rainfall and gusty winds swept through the financial capital.

The southwest monsoon has now covered the remaining parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, bringing widespread rainfall across the state. Heavy showers lashed Mumbai and neighbouring Thane as monsoon activity intensified over the past two days.

The districts under yellow alert include Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Washim.

Meanwhile, Pune, Yavatmal, Latur, Dharashiv, Chandrapur and Satara have been placed under an orange alert due to the possibility of heavier rainfall and adverse weather conditions.

The monsoon has become active across nearly all regions of Maharashtra, bringing heavy rainfall to some areas and light to moderate showers to others. Rain intensity has been particularly high in Mumbai, the Konkan region and adjoining Goa, providing much-needed relief from the prolonged summer heat.

Rainfall has also been recorded in several districts, including Nashik, Jalgaon, Parbhani, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, Yavatmal, Nagpur and Chandrapur. The monsoon has simultaneously advanced further into parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Meteorologists said the sudden surge in rainfall was not the result of a single weather system. Instead, it was triggered by the interaction of three atmospheric systems that collectively enhanced monsoon activity over Mumbai and surrounding regions.

The IMD has also predicted a gradual decline in temperatures. Maximum temperatures across Maharashtra are expected to fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius over the next two days before stabilising. Minimum temperatures are also likely to decrease gradually over the next four to five days.

Overall, monsoon conditions remain active across Maharashtra, with several districts experiencing widespread and, in some places, intense rainfall. The showers have brought significant relief from the heat, and the IMD has indicated that strong monsoon activity is likely to continue over the next few days. Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions.

–IANS

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