Mumbai is grappling with severe disruptions as heavy rains continue to batter the city and surrounding areas, prompting authorities to issue a red alert for Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy showers, and a high tide alert has been issued following incessant rainfall.
On Monday, Mumbai experienced over 300 mm of rainfall in just six hours, causing widespread waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas. The downpour severely impacted daily life, leading to the closure of schools and disruption of suburban train services and flight operations.
The Central Railway services faced significant disruptions, with many out-station trains stranded. The Harbour line resumed operations early Tuesday morning after being halted due to the heavy downpour. At the Mumbai airport, flight operations were severely affected by low visibility, resulting in the closure of runways for over an hour and the cancellation of approximately 50 flights.
The heavy rains also affected BEST bus services, prompting diversions in waterlogged areas such as Parel, Gandhi Market, Sangam Nagar, and Malad subway. Mumbai reported numerous incidents of tree and branch falls, damaging vehicles and causing disruptions. There were also reports of 12 short-circuit incidents, tragically resulting in the death of a 72-year-old woman in Santacruz East.
In addition to the urban chaos, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde convened a meeting at Mantralaya to assess the situation. He visited the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) control room and deployed National Disaster Response Force teams in various flood-affected areas including Kurla, Ghatkopar, Thane, Vasai (Palghar), Mahad (Raigad), Chiplun (Ratnagiri), Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and Sindhudurg.
Amid the havoc, rescue operations were conducted to save over 30 animals, birds, and reptiles in Mumbai and neighboring districts. Wildlife distress calls and cases of lost pets were reported, with various species of reptiles rescued from waterlogged areas and forest peripheries.
The situation remains tense as Mumbai braces for further heavy rainfall and continues efforts to mitigate the impacts of the monsoon deluge.
