Mumbai rains wreak havoc as heavy downpours flood low-lying areas, delay suburban trains, disrupt metro services, and prompt the IMD to issue orange and red alerts for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. Airlines advise caution amid waterlogging and poor visibility.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has intensified its warnings, issuing an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar and a red alert for Raigad, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. The ongoing Mumbai rains have significantly impacted normal life across the city.
Mumbai rains: Persistent Downpour Cripples Daily Life
As skies remained overcast, a persistent drizzle gave way to heavy spells of rain across the city and its suburbs, inundating low-lying zones and throwing the daily commute into disarray. The Mumbai rains have made commuting particularly difficult for office-goers and daily wage earners alike.
Snarled traffic and overloaded drainage systems caused Mumbai’s roadways to become slow-moving rivers, causing pockets of pandemonium to spread throughout the city. Residents are struggling to navigate through the waterlogged streets as Mumbai rains continue to pound the metropolis.
In a bulletin released on Monday, the IMD confirmed that cloudy conditions will persist, accompanied by heavy showers in several pockets across the urban sprawl. The rainfall, intensified by active monsoon conditions, has already affected regular city functioning. Authorities have asked the public to stay indoors wherever possible, especially during peak Mumbai rains hours.
Rail & Metro Services Hit
Millions of people depend on Mumbai’s vital suburban train system, which was hardest hit by the heavy rains. Both Central and Western Railway services reported delays, with several commuters reporting delays ranging from 20 to 30 minutes during peak hours. The effects of Mumbai rains were evident as platforms were overcrowded and train schedules ran awry.
The city’s metro operations, particularly on the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova corridor, also faced disruption. A plastic sheet from a nearby construction site was swept onto the overhead electric line near Azad Nagar station, halting services temporarily. Metro One later announced, “Normal operations have resumed. The disruption was caused by strong winds dislodging construction debris onto the electrical line.”
Airlines Issue Weather Warnings
Given the deteriorating conditions, airlines began issuing travel advisories. IndiGo and SpiceJet both urged passengers to check for real-time updates before heading to the airport. In a social media post, IndiGo stated:
“Heavy rainfall continues across Mumbai. Road travel remains sluggish in many areas due to waterlogging and reduced visibility. Passengers are advised to plan and allow extra travel time.” The Mumbai rains have led to slower approach roads and delayed check-ins at the city’s airport terminals.
Monsoon Intensifies Across Maharashtra
The weather department further escalated warnings for Raigad, issuing a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall over the next 16 hours, particularly in isolated regions and ghat sections of Pune and Satara districts. The monsoon system, which had previously shown signs of stagnation, has now regained intensity. The shift is expected to bring even more Mumbai rains in the coming days.
An IMD official noted, “The monsoon has now enveloped almost the entire stretch of Maharashtra and has made inroads into Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.”
Over the next 10 days, widespread rainfall is expected over parts of North India, central India, and the western coast. As the Mumbai rains continue and the monsoon reclaims its momentum, temperatures are expected to drop, bringing a semblance of relief from the sweltering heat. However, authorities are urging citizens to stay alert, avoid flooded areas, and follow traffic and transportation advisories closely.
