The monsoon in Mumbai is showing no signs of retreating, despite the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) prediction that it would start receding from September 1. (Representational image)

Mumbai: The monsoon in Mumbai is showing no signs of retreating, despite the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) prediction that it would start receding from September 1.

On the contrary, the IMD has issued a “red alert” in the Mumbai, Thane and Konkan regions Friday as well.

Several schools and colleges were shut Thursday owing to the heavy rainfall warning but it hardly rained throughout the day after the intermittent rain Wednesday night.

The Santacruz observatory recorded 69.4mm rain during the last 24 hours since Wednesday, while the Colaba observatory recorded only 16.6mm rain.

According to weather experts, the country is going through a strong “Indian Ocean Dipole” or an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures, which is resulting in heavy showers at various places, including Mumbai.

"The cyclonic circulation and related low-pressure over south Madhya Pradesh has been driving the humid westerly winds from the Arabian Sea. As the circulation gradually moves westward in the next few days, the coastal areas of the state, including Mumbai, are likely to witness very heavy rain," said an IMD official.

However, Skymet Weather, a private forecaster, said that the intensity of rain in Mumbai is likely to reduce. “The cyclonic circulation over madhya Maharashtra moved to the north-eastern Arabian Sea. Active Monsoon surge weakened and resulted in weak winds which reduced moisture incursion over the Mumbai region," said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather.