Mumbai: Heavy rains lashed Mumbai and adjoining districts on Monday, triggering severe waterlogging and traffic snarls across the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for all schools and colleges for the afternoon shift, while many morning schools were dismissed early as a precautionary measure.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, as well as for Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. An orange alert remains in place for other nearby regions through Tuesday.
Several parts of the city recorded intense rainfall within a short duration. Between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm, Chembur received 117 mm, Vikhroli 103 mm, Juhu 96.5 mm, Santacruz 86.1 mm, and Sion 82 mm of rain, according to IMD data.
Waterlogging was reported in low-lying areas such as Sion, Chembur, Kurla and parts of Andheri, bringing vehicular movement to a crawl. Long traffic jams were seen on Eastern and Western Express Highways, while key railway lines also witnessed delays due to water accumulation on tracks. Visuals showed commuters wading through knee-deep water in several locations.
Train services on the Central and Western lines were running behind schedule, with announcements urging commuters to plan travel accordingly. Suburban railways and BEST buses faced disruptions in multiple pockets.
Flights were also affected, with delays reported at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport due to low visibility and wet runways.
The BMC has appealed to residents to step out only if necessary and keep emergency numbers handy. Disaster management teams have been deployed in vulnerable zones to respond to calls of waterlogging and stranded vehicles.
The IMD has forecast continued heavy showers for the next 24 hours in Mumbai and adjoining districts, warning of possible flooding in several areas if the rain persists.