Heavy rainfall disrupted Mumbai’s Trans-Harbour rail corridor, forcing 24 train cancellations and triggering fresh political criticism from Aaditya Thackeray over the city’s flood management and monsoon preparedness.
Heavy rain caused waterlogging in several parts of Mumbai and disrupted train services between Turbhe and Vashi on Wednesday. | ANI
Heavy rainfall across Mumbai and neighbouring districts disrupted local train operations on Wednesday morning, with 24 services cancelled on the Trans-Harbour line after soil erosion damaged tracks between Turbhe and Vashi.
The disruption came as large parts of the city grappled with waterlogging following overnight showers. The weather situation also triggered a political exchange, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accusing the BJP-led government of neglecting flood mitigation measures and prioritising politics over governance.
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According to Central Railway, train movement on the affected stretch has resumed after repair work. However, speed restrictions remain in place as a precaution on the damaged section.
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“Due to a track damage incident at the Trans Harbour line of Mumbai Local, 24 trains have been cancelled till now. Though the traffic is resumed in the affected portion after repairing, speed is limited due to caution in the affected portion of the trans harbour line between Turbhe and Vash,” Central Railway said in an official update.
The India Meteorological Department issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai and adjoining districts after intense rain continued through the night and into Wednesday morning.
The nowcast warning covered Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Sindhudurg, with the weather department forecasting moderate to intense spells of rain and advising residents to remain cautious.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Andheri subway was closed for vehicular traffic after being submerged due to water accumulation. Other subways across the city remained operational.
Rainfall data released by the civic body showed Mumbai recorded an average of 56 mm of rain between 8 am and 11 pm on June 23. The eastern suburbs received 23 mm, while the western suburbs recorded 33 mm.
Several western suburban locations reported intense rainfall between 10 pm and 11 pm. 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.
Rail services elsewhere in Mumbai continued to function normally despite the adverse weather conditions.
Amid the rain-related disruption, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said the recurring flooding should serve as a reminder for the government to focus on governance.
In a post on X, Thackeray claimed Mumbai required more rainwater holding tanks along with pumping stations and wider stormwater drains to reduce flooding in vulnerable locations.
“Another reminder to the government to focus on governance instead of only focussing on dirty politics. Rain Water Holding Tanks: Mumbai needs to be a sponge city: in 2018-19 through the BMC we started working on rainwater holding tanks that will prevent water logging in typical spots. This is needed for a coastal city like ours, along with Pumping Stations and increasing the diameter of the Storm Water Drains, as the next step,” he said.
Referring to projects undertaken during the UBT-led administration, Thackeray said rainwater holding systems had been implemented at Hind Mata, Gandhi Market and Milan Subway.
“From 2020- 2022, we proved its worth by making them at Hind Mata/ Gandhi Market and Milan Subway. What’s worse, is they don’t even operate the pumps and holding tanks at Hind Mata properly anymore to ensure it remains flood free, despite the system being in place!! Over the next 4 years, this bjp regime has drained the BMC of its funds, but hasn’t made a single rain water holding tank!,” he added.
The Worli MLA also alleged that the state government had failed to prepare Maharashtra’s cities for periods of heavy rainfall and had not advanced the desalination project initiated earlier.
“It has not even pushed ahead with our project of desalination, only now it speaks of it. Now it speaks of it again. So technically neither has the bjp regime made any city of Maharashtra monsoon ready, in case of heavy rains, nor has it made our cities self reliant in the situation of less rains. Who does the regime work for, apart from its favoured builders and contractors?,” Thackeray said.
Earlier, a BMC official identified as Rhitik said civic authorities were still searching for a temporary solution to severe waterlogging at the Andheri subway.
“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 told ANI.
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