MUMBAI: Torrential rains lashed Mumbai early on September 15, 2025, turning streets into rivers and snarling commutes, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued stern warnings of escalating monsoon fury. A yellow alert blankets the city, forecasting moderate to heavy showers laced with thunderstorms through September 16, with risks of waterlogging in low-lying zones.
Overnight deluges dumped relentless precipitation across South-Central Mumbai from 1:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., prompting a stark advisory on X: “Very heavy rains since last 3 hours across South-Central Mumbai. More non-stop heavy rains to continue at least next 2 hours. Waterlogging likely in many areas #Mumbairains.” The IMD’s nowcast at 4:30 a.m. echoed the peril, urging residents to brace for non-stop downpours that could swamp key areas.
The assault showed no mercy: by 9:04 a.m., floodwaters choked major routes like the Western Express Highway, Eastern Freeway, and Sion-Panvel Expressway, stranding vehicles and amplifying gridlock. Mumbai’s monorail service stalled abruptly at Wadala around 9:08 a.m. due to a power failure, forcing emergency evacuations; fire teams ensured safe transfers to a backup train from Chembur, with no injuries reported. Officials pledged a thorough probe and coupled removal of the affected unit.
Local trains plodded along with minor delays, but broader rail and air links hovered on the brink of breakdown. IndiGo airlines flagged potential flight hiccups amid the storm, advising passengers to check updates. Temperatures lingered in a humid 24°C to 29°C range under overcast skies, with similar patterns forecast through September 20—daily bursts of rain holding steady.
The IMD extended orange alerts to Thane, Raigad, Beed, Ahmednagar, Pune, and Latur, signaling moderate to intense spells that could trigger flash floods. No closures for schools or offices have been announced yet, but civic bodies implore caution: sidestep flooded paths, dial 112 for crises, and track live feeds. As puddles swell into hazards, Mumbai’s resilient pulse tests the limits once more in this unyielding monsoon grip.