India, May 27 -- At least six people died and several others went missing in rain-related incidents across four states on Monday, with Maharashtra's capital, Mumbai, bearing the brunt of the earliest arrival of monsoon in 75 years.

The southwest monsoon made its onset over Mumbai on Monday, more than a fortnight before its normal date, with India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials saying that it is the earliest arrival of rains in the country's financial capital in 75 years. According to police, four people were killed after being struck by lightning, while another drowned.

IMD also upgraded it weather alert for the day from an "orange" to a "red' warning", signalling a high likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall in the region. ...