Mumbai and surrounding areas of Maharashtra were hit by a sudden dust storm on Monday, accompanied by thunderstorms and heavy rain. The adverse weather conditions caused widespread power outages, plunging several areas into darkness.
The shocking weather change came after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for many parts of the city for May 13. IMD also predicted heavy rains, thunderstorms and dry, gusty winds, specifically in Thane and Raigad districts.
Rainfall was also reported in the western suburbs of Borivali, Kandivali, Malad and Goregaon area. Power cuts were also flagged from some parts of the city.
Mumbai Rains:
Residents in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, complained of a power outage lasting over 20 minutes, attributed to the heavy thunderstorm and cyclone.
Similar outages were reported in Sion, Kohinoor Square, and Bandra, with citizens expressing their concerns on Twitter.
Visuals of Mumbai
Dust Storm in Mumbai
Dark clouds gathered over Mulund, raising concerns about potential intense storms in the next 15 minutes for areas like Thane, Mulund, and Bhandup. The IMD advised people to find safe shelters and avoid seeking cover under trees. Squally winds with speeds of 60-70 kmph were predicted on Monday, May 13.