Mumbai has been hit by relentless heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, throwing the city into a state of disruption and tragedy. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai and red alerts for the nearby districts of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, warning of extremely heavy rain in the coming hours.
The downpour has caused severe waterlogging in many parts of the city, bringing road traffic to a crawl and leaving several areas inundated. The suburban railway network, which is considered Mumbai’s lifeline, has been badly affected with multiple train services cancelled or delayed. Local train stations saw stranded passengers waiting for hours as authorities struggled to clear tracks submerged under water. Air travel was also hit, with several flights delayed due to poor visibility and operational difficulties.
Tragically, the heavy rains have already claimed six lives in separate incidents, highlighting the dangerous impact of the flooding. The authorities have reported casualties linked to house collapses, electrocution, and drowning in waterlogged areas.
Rescue operations are currently underway across affected regions. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to help residents stranded in their homes and vehicles. Over 782 passengers were rescued from trains stranded due to flooding, while hundreds of others have been shifted to safer locations in Nanded and Palghar districts. Emergency shelters have been set up for evacuees, and food and medical aid are being provided to those affected.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to citizens not to panic and to avoid spreading false information. Rumors regarding the closure of schools circulated on social media, but the civic body clarified that no such decision had been taken. BMC has also urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary and has issued its emergency helpline number 1916 for assistance.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rainfall is expected to persist. With rescue teams on the ground and precautionary measures being put in place, the city remains on high alert. Mumbai, known for its resilience, is once again bracing itself against the fury of the monsoon.
