Mumbai faced a deluge on Tuesday as heavy rain lashed the city for the second consecutive day, recording 300 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours. The downpour has caused massive waterlogging, disrupted transport services, and forced shutdowns across the financial capital. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the next 48 hours would be critical for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts, which remain on high alert.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai city and suburbs, urging residents to remain cautious. “Mumbai has witnessed a record rainfall of nearly 300 mm. The city’s lifeline — suburban trains have slowed down or are running late. The Mithi river (in Mumbai) reached the danger-level mark and 400 to 500 persons had to be evacuated. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is monitoring the situation on the field,” CM Fadnavis said after a Cabinet meeting.
The Chief Minister confirmed that the Mithi river crossing danger levels led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
Transport Hit: Flights, Trains and Roads Affected
Flight operations at Mumbai Airport were heavily disrupted. According to Flightradar data, 304 departing flights were delayed and 198 inbound flights were late as of 6:30 pm, while 10 flights were cancelled. IndiGo issued a travel advisory acknowledging waterlogging and sluggish traffic around the airport, cautioning passengers about operational challenges.
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The Central Railway suspended suburban services on the main line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane, as well as on the harbour line between CSMT and Kurla, after water rose 17 inches above tracks in Sion and Kurla. Long-distance trains were also rescheduled or cancelled, with help desks set up at key stations.
Road travel was equally paralysed. Waterlogging submerged areas such as Dadar, Matunga, Parel, Sion, Hindmata, Andheri Subway, parts of the Eastern Express Highway, Mumbai-Gujarat Highway and the Eastern Freeway. Vehicular movement on SV Road in Andheri West came to a complete halt.
Offices and Schools Shut, Vasai Areas Flooded
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for all government, semi-government and BMC offices, excluding essential services. It also advised private offices to allow employees to work from home. “Considering the red alert for very heavy rainfall in Mumbai city and suburbs, all government, semi-government, and BMC offices (excluding essential services) will remain closed today,” the civic body said.
Schools and colleges across Mumbai remained closed, while the Directorate of Higher Education announced a holiday for senior colleges across the Konkan region, including Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
Meanwhile, Vasant Nagari and Evershine Road in Vasai were completely submerged, and flooding in the Mithagar area trapped between 200 to 400 people.
Rainfall Distribution Across Mumbai
In the 24-hour period ending at 8 am on Tuesday, Vikhroli recorded the highest rainfall at 255.5 mm, followed by Byculla (241.0 mm), Santacruz (238.2 mm), Juhu (221.5 mm), Bandra (211.0 mm), Colaba (110.4 mm), and Mahalaxmi (72.5 mm).
