Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Mumbai Faces Below-Normal September Rain After Dry August
Mumbai had a very rainy July but a much drier August.
Much of the city received only light or occasional drizzle in August.
Heavy rain mostly stayed away.
The Santacruz weather station measured 318 millimetres of rain.
The Colaba station measured even less compared with its usual August amount.
The India Meteorological Department expects September to be drier than normal.
It also expects maximum temperatures to rise.
Some drizzle may still give Mumbai temporary relief.
The report links the dry conditions to stronger El Niño conditions and inactive weather systems.
Mumbai received only 35 per cent of its August average rainfall, according to the report.
The city’s dry August followed a prolonged wet spell in July and limited rainfall during August.
Santacruz recorded 318 mm of rain from August 1 to 31, compared with its 560.8 mm average.
Colaba recorded 164.2 mm, 65 per cent below its August average of 471.9 mm.
The IMD expects below-normal September rainfall, higher maximum temperatures and continued drizzle in Mumbai.
- Who
- Mumbai, the extended metropolitan region and the India Meteorological Department.
- What
- Mumbai experienced a rainfall deficit in August, while the IMD forecast below-normal rainfall and higher maximum temperatures for September.
- When
- August rainfall was measured from August 1 to 31; the forecast concerns September and the coming days.
- Where
- Mumbai, including the Santacruz and Colaba observatory areas, and the extended metropolitan region.
- Why
- The report attributes the dry conditions to strengthening El Niño conditions and inactive weather systems.
- August rainfall deficit
- Mumbai received 35 per cent of its monthly average rainfall, according to the report.
- Santacruz rainfall
- 318 mm from August 1 to 31, compared with an August average of 560.8 mm.
- Colaba rainfall
- 164.2 mm, 65 per cent below its August average of 471.9 mm.
- September rainfall forecast
- Below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department.
- Temperature forecast
- Maximum temperatures are expected to rise in September.
- Near-term weather
- Mumbai is likely to continue receiving drizzle in the coming days.
- Weather factors
- Strengthening El Niño conditions and inactive weather systems were cited as contributors to the dry conditions.