Mumbai remained on high alert on Thursday after relentless monsoon rain flooded roads, delayed suburban train services and triggered multiple weather-related accidents that claimed four lives across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad, warning of more intense spells of rain over the next few hours.
The continuing downpour has affected transport, civic infrastructure and public movement across the city. Authorities have warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue, with isolated places expected to receive extremely heavy rain during the night and early Friday morning. Wind speeds could reach 50-60 kmph.
Heavy rain disrupts transport across Mumbai
Several roads across Andheri, Kurla East, Chembur, Kings Circle, SG Barve Road, Gandhi Market and other areas were submerged after hours of continuous rainfall. Waterlogging was also reported on railway tracks near Dadar station.
Suburban train services on Central Railway were delayed due to poor visibility caused by heavy rain.
According to the Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer, services on the Harbour Line and Main Line were running around five to 10 minutes behind schedule.
The IMD also advised residents to stay away from weak structures, electric poles, trees and low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding.
Four killed in rain-related incidents
The severe weather has been linked to four deaths across the region.
A 17-year-old boy drowned in a pond at Kharghar. A 26-year-old man died after electrocution in Bhiwandi. In south Mumbai’s Walkeshwar, a 51-year-old man was killed after part of a building collapsed.
Another 45-year-old man died when a ceiling collapsed inside a building in Navi Mumbai’s Kamothe.
In Nerul, two girls suffered injuries after coming into contact with electrified waterlogged surroundings.
BMC records multiple civic emergencies
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the city witnessed more than 99 incidents of fallen trees or branches, around 13 short-circuit incidents and six cases involving wall collapses and waterlogging over the past 24 hours.
The civic body has also warned of high tides during the day and early Friday, urging residents to remain cautious.
Schools shut in Palghar
The continuing spell of heavy rain prompted the Palghar district administration to declare a holiday for all schools and colleges on Thursday.
Authorities across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region remain on alert following the IMD’s upgraded Red Alert.
Rainfall crosses 200 mm at several locations
According to the BMC, rainfall between 8 am on July 1 and 8 am on July 2 averaged 172 mm in Mumbai city, 189 mm in the eastern suburbs and 165 mm in the western suburbs.
Among the highest rainfall stations, Mithagar Municipal School in Mulund recorded 230.8 mm, followed by Mankhurd Fire Station with 228.6 mm and S Ward Office with 227 mm.
In the western suburbs, SWM Santacruz Workshop received 223.4 mm, while Nariyal Wadi School in Santacruz recorded 222.2 mm.
Within Mumbai city, F South Ward Office recorded 223.8 mm, G South Ward Office 208.2 mm and B Nadkarni Park Municipal School in Wadala 206.2 mm.