India, June 22 -- Light to moderate rain lashed parts of Mumbai on Sunday morning, offering respite from the sweltering heat even as the city continues to grapple with an acute water shortage. With reservoir levels at just 8.68% of capacity, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an increase in rainfall activity from Monday and said the southwest monsoon is likely to reach Mumbai by June 23.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad for the next three days, forecasting moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places.

An IMD scientist, requesting anonymity, clarified that Sunday's showers were a localised weather event and not the formal onset of ...