Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Heavy Mumbai Rains Disrupt Ganpati Idol Arrivals Before Festival
Mumbai and nearby areas received very heavy rain just before the Ganpati festival.
The rain began on Saturday night and continued through Sunday.
It made it harder for some groups to bring their Ganesh idols home and affected shopping plans.
Some organisers changed the timing of their processions so children and devotees could participate safely.
Even with these changes, people said they were still excited to welcome Ganpati Bappa.
Some parts of Mumbai received more than 150 millimetres of rain.
The weather department raised the rain warning to Orange on Sunday.
More moderate rain is expected in Mumbai on Monday, with a Yellow Alert for parts of Thane and Palghar.
Heavy rain lashed Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region on Sunday, after nearly a month-long lull.
The downpour disrupted Ganesh idol arrival processions and festival shopping, but devotees continued preparations.
The India Meteorological Department upgraded Mumbai’s weekend alert from Yellow to Orange on Sunday afternoon.
Several weather stations recorded more than 150 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours ending Sunday evening.
Moderate rain is expected in Mumbai on Monday, while Thane and Palghar are under a Yellow Alert for isolated heavy rain.
- Who
- Residents, devotees, festival organisers, and the India Meteorological Department were involved in the reported developments.
- What
- Heavy rain disrupted Ganesh idol arrival processions and festival shopping before the Ganpati festival, while celebrations continued.
- When
- Rain began on Saturday night and continued through Sunday; moderate rain was forecast for Monday.
- Where
- Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including parts of Thane and Palghar.
- Why
- The heavy downpour affected travel, idol arrivals, and shopping, although devotees remained enthusiastic about the festival.
- Rainfall period
- Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 7 p.m.
- Highest reported rainfall
- 204 millimetres at the BKC fire station
- Other high readings
- Pali Chimbai in Bandra recorded 189 millimetres; Nariyalwadi in Santacruz recorded 188 millimetres.
- Alert change
- Mumbai’s alert was upgraded from Yellow to Orange on Sunday afternoon.
- Monday forecast
- Moderate rainfall was expected in Mumbai, with no alert issued for the city.
- Regional warning
- Thane and Palghar received a Yellow Alert for isolated places.
- Festival impact
- Some organisers delayed Ganesh idol arrival processions until the rain eased.