From August 16 to 19, Mumbai experienced intense and persistent rainfall due to a combination of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and an east-west trough over the Arabian Sea, which amplified the southwest monsoon system. This led to continuous heavy downpours exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours at some stations, with the city accumulating nearly a full month’s rainfall of 550 mm in just over 80 hours. Unlike typical intermittent monsoon showers, the stationary nature of the trough sustained moisture-laden winds and cloud formation over the region. The rainfall caused widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and delays in local trains. The India Meteorological Department issued red and orange alerts during this period, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to close schools and colleges. Similar multi-day rainfall events have occurred before, such as the 2005 floods, but this spell is notable for its duration rather than a single extreme burst. Flood relief operations were also underway in nearby Nanded district due to heavy rains and flooding. While climate experts link such intensified events to warming oceans, direct attribution to climate change requires long-term data analysis. (Updated 19 Aug 2025, 09:44 IST; source: link)