Mumbai woke up to flooded roads, waterlogged railway tracks and traffic disruptions on Thursday after relentless overnight rain battered the city and its suburbs, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a nowcast red alert for Mumbai and adjoining districts.
The downpour submerged several low-lying areas, affected vehicular movement and disrupted daily life across parts of the financial capital. Authorities have warned that intense spells of rain are likely to continue over the next few hours, while the active southwest monsoon is expected to keep conditions unsettled over the coming days.
Mulund, Santacruz among worst-hit after overnight downpour
According to IMD rainfall data recorded between 8 am on July 1 and 7 am on July 2, Mumbai’s eastern suburbs received the highest precipitation.
Mithagar Municipal School in Mulund recorded 230.8 mm of rainfall, followed by Mankhurd Fire Station with 228.6 mm and the S Ward Office with 227 mm.
In the western suburbs, SWM Santacruz Workshop received 223.4 mm of rainfall, while Nariyal Wadi School in Santacruz recorded 222.2 mm. Andheri Fire Station received 213.2 mm, followed by K East Ward Office with 200.8 mm and K West Ward Office with 200.6 mm.
Within Mumbai city, the F South Ward Office recorded 223.8 mm of rainfall, G South Ward Office logged 208.2 mm and B Nadkarni Park Municipal School in Wadala received 206.2 mm.
Visuals from Andheri, Kings Circle and Gandhi Market showed roads submerged under rainwater, slowing traffic during the morning rush.
Waterlogging was also reported on railway tracks at Dadar station after heavy rain lashed the city.
IMD issues red alert for Mumbai region
The IMD issued a nowcast red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad, forecasting moderate to intense spells of rain at isolated places over the next three hours.
The weather office advised residents to avoid weak structures and waterlogging-prone areas, stay away from trees and electric poles, and follow the latest weather advisories.
The department has also warned of extremely heavy rainfall over the Konkan region, Goa and south Gujarat over the next four to five days.
Thane and Palghar remain on high alert
Heavy rain continued to affect neighbouring Thane district, where several residential localities, including Ambernath, Kalyan and Bhiwandi, remained waterlogged.
According to the Thane Municipal Corporation, civic officials have been directed to stay on high alert and deploy all available resources to assist residents and minimise inconvenience.
Palghar district remains under a red alert. The district administration has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in view of the forecast.
Palghar Disaster Management Cell Chief Vivekanand Kadam said the district had received very heavy rainfall, though no major incidents or casualties had been reported till late Wednesday evening.
Monsoon expected to remain active
The IMD said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal around July 3, a development expected to strengthen monsoon activity across western India.
Mumbai and the Konkan region are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next several days, with isolated locations expected to receive extremely heavy showers.