A wave of organised rainfall showed up over both Arabian Sea (in green to left) and in part over the Bay of Bengal (right) as thunderstorms lashed the South Peninsula ahead of expected revival of the monsoon. | Photo Credit: www.meteologix.com/in

Mumbai and neighbouring Pune are counting down to the arrival of the south-west monsoon as water reserves continue to dwindle amid a prolonged delay in seasonal rains.

The monsoon normally reaches Mumbai by June 10 and Pune a few days later. Mumbai reportedly has barely 40 days of drinking water stock remaining, with key reservoirs such as Tansa and Modak Sagar receiving only 13 mm of rain so far, while other lakes have recorded negligible inflows, if any.

Declining water levels 

In Pune, declining storage in the Khadakwasla dam system, coupled with delayed monsoon onset and projections of below-normal rainfall, has prompted the Pune Municipal Corporation to enforce alternate-day water supply across most parts of the city until at least August 20.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope. The Konkan-Goa region, including water-stressed Mumbai, may begin to feel the first stirrings of monsoon revival from next week. Forecasts suggest the rains could remain uneven and intermittent initially, offering only limited respite from prevailing conditions.

Widespread rainfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Konkan and Goa next week on June 24. Before that, isolated to scattered pre-monsoon showers are likely over the region through June 23. Similar conditions are expected over east Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada for much of the coming week, while Saurashtra and Kutch may see scattered rainfall over the next four days.

Helpful circulation

A persistent upper-air cyclonic circulation over the south-east Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala appears to be steering a gradual revival of rains over Kerala and Coastal Karnataka. This activity is expected to advance northwards towards Goa, Konkan and Mumbai in the coming days. A broader and sustained monsoon revival, however, will depend on complementary support from the Bay of Bengal, where only tentative signs of renewed activity are currently visible.

Heavier rainfall

Elsewhere, the IMD has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Thursday and Friday; over Kerala and Mahe during the next three days and again for four days from Sunday; and over interior Karnataka on Sunday and Monday.

Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal on Friday; over Kerala, Mahe, Coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep for the next six days; over South Interior Karnataka from Sunday; North Interior Karnataka from Monday; and over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Tuesday.

Western disturbance

An approaching western disturbance located over central Pakistan on Thursday is likely to track towards west Rajasthan, bringing thunderstorms, gusty winds, lightning and isolated hailstorms to parts of North-West India.

Published on June 18, 2026