Relentless monsoon rains have brought life to a standstill across Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs, triggering widespread flooding, transport disruptions and rain-related fatalities. According to Maharashtra authorities, 13 people have died in various rain-related incidents over the past few days as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a Red Alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Several parts of the city remain waterlogged, with floodwaters rising up to 3 to 4 feet on some roads, severely affecting vehicular movement. The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by wind speeds of 80-90 kmph over the next few hours, prompting authorities to advise residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Heavy rainfall has also disrupted Mumbai’s suburban railway network. Train services on all three suburban lines have been affected, while operations on the Central Railway’s slow line were temporarily suspended after plastic debris became entangled in overhead power lines between Kanjurmarg and Bhandup stations. Railway officials later restored services after clearing the obstruction.
The State Disaster Management Authority has advised private companies to allow employees to work from home, while government and semi-government offices, except essential services, have been granted a half-day holiday.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, assuring that all government agencies remain on high alert to deal with the evolving weather situation. Rescue teams have been deployed across vulnerable areas to respond to emergencies.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has warned residents to stay away from trees, old buildings, electric poles, large hoardings and waterlogged areas due to the risk of accidents caused by strong winds. Citizens have also been asked not to park vehicles under trees and to rely only on official weather advisories.
According to Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, six people were killed after a house collapsed in Mankhurd, while several others lost their lives in incidents involving falling trees across Mumbai, Palghar and Raigad districts.
With heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast for the next two days, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel.