After dry spell, rains return; forecast: to stay

Mumbaikars breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday, after light to moderate rainfall graced different parts of the city and suburbs ending a week-long dry spell.

While no thunderstorms have been forecasted in the coming week, Mumbaikars should brace themselves for intermittent showers in the city and the suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfalls at isolated places.

"The formation of offshore monsoon troughs has allowed for us to predict rains in the near future", said Krishnachand Hosalikar, the Deputy General of the Indian Meteorological Department.

The formation of a low pressure belt over Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Konkan is likely to influence the rains for the next 24 hours and an improved rain activity has been recorded in parts of Mumbai for the first time since the first week of July.

The humidity levels on Thursday were well over 85 per cent in the city. Colaba recorded 22 mm rainfall, and Santa Cruz, 14.8 mm, as a result of the Westerly winds along the coast.