Record rains hit Mumbai on September 4, 2019, resulting in widespread flooding. At least five people were killed and one remains missing.

Mumbai took 226 mm (9 inches) of rain on September 4, making the total rainfall record of 3 980 mm (156 inches). This the total rainfall recorded in 2013 of 3 347 mm (132 inches).

The rains paralyzed Mumbai for the third time since the onset of this year's monsoon and claimed lives of another 5 people, officials said today. 1 person is still missing.

The Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Disaster Control reported the rainfall data for September 4 - the eastern suburbs received 173 mm (6 inches), rising season's total to 3 006 mm (118 mm), western suburbs 186 mm (7 inches), seasons total 2 765 mm (108 inches).

The average for the city and suburbs stood at 102.73 mm (4.04 inches) and 114.79 mm (4.5 inches), respectively, with the season's total averaging to 2 358 mm (92.83 inches), or nearly 114% of the annual rainfall.

At least 15 locations in Mumbai received in excess of 200 mm (7.87 inches) and 300 mm (11.8 inches) rainfall within 24 hours on September 4, as recorded by the BMC.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted to hit central, eastern, and western states, over Kerala and Karnataka. Jharkhand and West Bengal are expected to receive rains accompanied by thunderstorms.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and nearby areas for September 6 and 7, 2019.

The death toll since the start of the monsoon season reached more than 1 200 across 11 states.

295 fatalities were reported in Maharashtra, 122 in Madhya Pradesh, 193 in West Bengal, 177 in Kerala, 124 in Gujarat, 104 in Karnataka, 94 in Assam, 62 in Uttarakhand, 51 in Himachal Pradesh, and 14 in Punjab, according to National Emergency Response Center (NDMI).

Over 1 500 000 people have been evacuated as confirmed by the same source.

Featured image credit: Sadanand D Dolhare