Mumbai Rain. (File)

Mumbai ushered in New Year 2026 with a spell of rain early on Thursday morning, as light to moderate showers were recorded across several parts of the city, including Mulund and Dadar. The showers brought a winter chill to the otherwise humid metropolis, with temperatures dipping to around 21°C during the morning hours.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai and its suburbs are expected to experience a partly cloudy sky with light rain throughout the day. In its latest forecast, issued at 8 am on January 1, the IMD predicted light showers over the next 48 hours, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 29°C and 16°C, respectively.

The rain is also expected to provide some relief from air pollution. Mumbai’s air quality index (AQI) currently stands at 122, categorised as ‘moderate’ according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Early risers across the city were greeted with drizzling rain on New Year’s Day, while residents took to social media to report heavier spells as the morning progressed. Meanwhile, the IMD said there would be “no significant change” in minimum temperatures across Maharashtra over the next two days, though a gradual rise of 2–3°C is expected in the following four days.