Heavy overnight rainfall left several parts of Mumbai and neighbouring regions waterlogged on Wednesday, forcing the closure of the Andheri subway and prompting weather authorities to issue a red alert for the city and surrounding districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued heavy rainfall across Mumbai and the Konkan belt, with civic authorities urging residents to remain cautious as rain-related disruptions persist in low-lying areas.
An early morning nowcast issued by the IMD forecast moderate to intense spells of rain over Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Sindhudurg. The warning remained valid until 10 am.
The day’s alert map placed Mumbai, its suburbs and Palghar under a red alert. Thane was under an orange alert, while Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg were placed under a yellow alert.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), intermittent heavy showers continued across the city and suburbs through the morning. Authorities also warned of cloudy conditions, lightning and thunder during the period.
Andheri subway closed after flooding
The Andheri subway was closed to vehicular traffic after heavy water accumulation made the underpass unsafe for movement.
Several other parts of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai also reported waterlogging following persistent rainfall overnight.
BMC officials said all other subways in the city remained operational. Railway movement was unaffected despite the weather conditions.
Speaking to ANI, a BMC official identified as Rhitik said civic authorities had not yet found a temporary solution to the recurring flooding at the location.
“We have not been able to find a temporary solution for this severe waterlogging. Our officers keep standing here to ensure vehicles don’t pass through. But some rickshaw drivers still try to get their vehicles across. A rickshaw got stuck here in the centre of the subway. His life was in danger. Two of our officers helped bring him out,” he said.
Another civic official, Robert, said teams were stationed at the site to prevent motorists from entering the flooded underpass.
“We are doing our best to ensure that no vehicles get inside the underpass. We are trying to protect as many people as possible,” he said.
Local rainfall figures show heavy showers in western suburbs
BMC data showed Mumbai received an average rainfall of 56 mm between 8 am and 11 pm on June 23.
During the same period, the eastern suburbs recorded 23 mm of rain, while the western suburbs received 33 mm.
The heaviest rainfall between 10 pm and 11 pm was reported from parts of the western suburbs. Charkop Sector 1 Municipal School in Kandivali recorded 32 mm, followed by MHB Municipal School in Malad with 28 mm and Gajdharbandh Storm Water Pumping Station with 26 mm.
Other locations reporting significant rainfall included Banana Leaf and Juhu Dispensary with 22 mm and Nariyalwadi School in Santacruz with 21 mm.
Train services continue normally
Despite the heavy rain, suburban train services continued to operate normally during the morning peak hours.
Western Railway said services on major sections, including the Harbour Line and the Churchgate-Dahanu corridor, remained on schedule.
Meanwhile, residents in some flooded localities complained of drainage issues.
“All manholes that should drain water are blocked. We are struggling to even reach colleges due to flooding,” a resident said.
Authorities said they are continuing to monitor the situation as heavy rainfall activity is expected to continue along the west coast.