The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued 'red' and 'orange' alerts for several districts in Maharashtra for the next few days and predicted extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall.
A red alert, forecasting the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall, has been issued for Raigad on May 23 and for Ratnagiri district for May 22 and 23, while an orange alert is in place for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Sindhudurg as well as ghats of Pune and Satara during this period for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai for May 23 and 24, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour at isolated places.
The IMD attributed this weather activity to the formation of a low-pressure system over east-central Arabian Sea off the coast of south Konkan and Goa.
It is likely to intensify and bring intense showers across Konkan and other parts of Maharashtra, the IMD has predicted. Regional Meteorological Centre official Shubhangi Bhute said the low-pressure area will further intensify within 36 hours and move northwards.
"Therefore, the entire Konkan coast has been placed under orange alert, while a red alert has been sounded for Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. During this period, wind speeds will range between 30-40 kmph and may reach up to 60 kmph at some isolated locations," Bhute said.
Some places are likely to witness heavy to extremely heavy rain with thunderstorms, she said and warned fishermen against venturing into the sea along the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, parts of south Mumbai experienced downpour on Thursday evening, giving some respite to the metropolis' citizens from the summer heat. -- PTI
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