Mumbai, August 18 — The city of Mumbai came to a grinding halt on Monday as relentless monsoon showers battered the metropolis for the third consecutive day, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for the region. With over 100 mm of rainfall recorded in several pockets within just six hours, the downpour led to widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls, and disruptions across key transport networks.
According to IMD officials, the intense rainfall is attributed to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, coupled with cyclonic circulation and an east-west shear zone. Areas like Chembur and Vikhroli were among the worst hit, logging 117 mm and 103 mm of rain respectively between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm. The eastern and western suburbs also saw heavy showers, with seasonal rainfall totals crossing 1,000 mm at both Colaba and Santacruz observatories.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared an afternoon holiday for all schools and colleges, citing safety concerns. Several BEST bus routes were diverted due to waterlogging in low-lying areas such as Sion, Kurla, Wadala, and Chembur. Local train services on the Central and Harbour lines ran with delays of up to 20 minutes, while the Andheri subway was shut down entirely due to inundation.
Air traffic was also impacted, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reporting average flight delays of 56 minutes. One flight was diverted to Surat, and multiple airlines issued advisories urging passengers to allow extra travel time and check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
In Chembur, a retaining wall collapse damaged seven homes in Ashok Nagar, though no injuries were reported. Emergency teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade and BMC responded swiftly, clearing debris and relocating affected families to temporary shelters.
Despite the chaos, Metro Line 3 emerged as a beacon of reliability. Services between Aarey and Acharya Atre Chowk remained unaffected, offering commuters a dry and punctual alternative amid the deluge.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a high-level review meeting at Mantralaya, directing disaster management teams to remain on high alert. “Several districts are under red and orange alerts. We’ve discussed necessary precautionary measures and ensured coordination among agencies,” he stated.
With high tides of up to 4.3 metres expected and wind speeds reaching 60 km/h, authorities have warned fishermen against venturing into the Arabian Sea. The IMD has extended red alerts to Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Pune, while Palghar and Sindhudurg remain under orange alert through Tuesday.
As Mumbai braces for continued rainfall, civic officials urge residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay tuned to official advisories. The BMC’s disaster control helpline (1916) remains active for emergency assistance.
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