Heavy Rain Lash Mumbai, Powai Lake Overflows As City Braces For More Downpours

Heavy rains continued to lash Mumbai on Wednesday, causing traffic snarls and flooding. Powai Lake overflowed after a 48-hour downpour, prompting the IMD to issue a yellow alert for the city.

Mumbai Rains: Powai Lake Overflows, IMD Issues Yellow Alert Amid Heavy Downpour

Source : PTI

Mumbaikars woke up to another rain-soaked morning on Wednesday, as relentless downpours overnight continued into the early hours, blanketing the city in a curtain of grey. From the buzzing lanes of CSMT to the waterfront of Nariman Point and the business hub of Ballard Estate, steady showers disrupted the city’s rhythm, causing minor traffic bottlenecks and slow-moving commutes across both the island city and its suburbs.

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Mumbai

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, warning of continued rainfall throughout the day. The forecast points to overcast skies with intermittent heavy showers at isolated locations. A yellow alert signals the likelihood of weather-related interruptions and urges residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

Mumbai: Rain lashes parts of the South Mumbai

(Visuals from Ballard Pier) pic.twitter.com/rZFAFuEqtU

— IANS (@ians_india) June 18, 2025

Today’s temperature readings showed typical monsoon variability — the IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded a high of 32.6°C and a low of 26.1°C, while Colaba’s readings stood at 31.6°C and 25.6°C, respectively. With the ground already saturated from earlier rain spells, the city’s drainage systems are under mounting pressure, and civic agencies are bracing for potential waterlogging if the deluge continues.

Powai Lake Begins to Overflow After 48-Hour Downpour

In a key monsoon development, Powai Lake — one of Mumbai’s major artificial reservoirs — began to overflow early Wednesday morning. Managed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the lake breached its full capacity of 545 crore litres (5.45 billion litres) following incessant rainfall in the catchment area over the last 48 hours.

The BMC confirmed the overflow in a social media update at around 6 AM, sharing footage of water cascading over the lake’s edge. “Powai Lake, one of the primary artificial reservoirs under BMC jurisdiction, started overflowing around 6 am today,” the civic body posted. “With a capacity of 545 crore litres, the lake primarily supplies non-potable water for industrial use and the Aarey Milk Colony.”

🔹Powai Lake, one of the main artificial lakes under the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), began overflowing around 6 am today.

🔹With a storage capacity of 545 crore litres (5.45 billion litres), the lake’s water is non-potable and is primarily used… pic.twitter.com/wCWX20cZQ6

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) June 18, 2025

The current water level has touched 195.10 feet, the lake’s maximum storage height. The overflow, while scenic, serves as a reminder of the city’s vulnerability during intense monsoon spells — especially when paired with aging infrastructure and overburdened stormwater systems.

Citizens Advised to Stay Vigilant

Civic officials are keeping a close watch on the weather and flood-prone zones across Mumbai. Residents are being urged to stay indoors during peak rainfall, avoid waterlogged streets, and report any emergencies to helplines. Authorities have also requested the public to refrain from venturing near lakes, rivers, or stormwater drains during this period. The monsoon has barely begun, yet its impact is already being felt deeply across Mumbai. With rainfall likely to persist in the coming days, the city must once again brace itself — not just for the weather, but for the resilience it demands. Will Mumbai’s infrastructure hold up, or are we heading for another season of flooded roads and stalled trains?