Parts of Maharashtra report ‘exceptional’ rain
The Western Ghats saw exceptional rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department reporting that Lonavala, a popular tourist destination, recorded 1300mm of rainfall from 5th July
The Western Ghats saw exceptional rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department reporting that Lonavala, a popular tourist destination, recorded 1300mm of rainfall from 5th July to Wednesday (July 8, 2026) morning. recorded 525 mm of rainfall. In the IMD’s scheme of categorisation, rainfall over 200 mm is considered “extremely high” rainfall. Also read: Monsoon updates July 8, 2026 Palghar station in coastal Maharashtra reported 304 mm on Tuesday (July 7), against a normal of mere 26.7 mm – a 1000% rise.
Raigad saw 115 mm against a normal of 33mm. Mahabaleshwar, in the State’s Satara district, received 513 mm of rainfall on 6th July, which, according to the IMD’s historical records, is the highest 24-hour rainfall ever recorded. The hill station recorded nearly one-tenth of its average annual rainfall (5,710 mm) in a single day. The rains come on the back of a ‘depression’, a pre-cyclonic collection of clouds that originated in the Bay of Bengal and monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea.
The heavy rains have so far wiped out the monsoon deficits of several coastal regions in Maharashtra and triggered landslides, tunnel collapse and disruptions. This is an El Niño year, meaning that rainfall over India is expected to be ‘below normal’ per the IMD’s forecasts. However, experts say that pockets and periods of heavy rain can exist even during rain-deficient years. “The current monsoon activity we are witnessing is expected to last until the 10th of July.
After this, no other significant ‘low pressure’ systems [precyclonic storms] are expected to form in the near horizon,” said O.P. Sreejith, senior meteorologist, IMD-Pune. “The outlook for rain in July overall is expected to be ‘below normal,” he added.
The BriefWire