MUMBAI — Torrential rains battered Mumbai and surrounding areas, causing significant disruptions to local train services and prompting weather alerts across Maharashtra. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Pune, forecasting intense rainfall until 10 a.m. today. An orange alert was also declared for Mumbai, Nashik, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, signaling heavy to very heavy showers.
The deluge led to the cancellation of several local trains on the Western and Harbour lines, with Central Railway reporting waterlogging at Chunnabhatti station, halting services between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla. Shuttle services were introduced between Mankhurd and Panvel to mitigate commuter inconvenience. Mainline services between CSMT and Thane were also suspended due to flooded tracks, though limited shuttle operations continued between Thane, Karjat, Khopoli, and Kasara.
The heavy rainfall, which saw Vikhroli record 255.5 mm and Santacruz 238.2 mm in the 24 hours ending Tuesday morning, triggered widespread waterlogging and traffic chaos. The Maharashtra Disaster Management Department reported six fatalities and five missing persons in rain-related incidents across the state, with 400 people rescued from the Mithi River area. In Nanded, 293 individuals were evacuated from Mukhed taluka, supported by 18 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and six State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units deployed statewide.
A dramatic rescue unfolded as all passengers stranded on a monorail stuck between Bhakti Park and Mysore Colony were safely evacuated late Tuesday, assisted by fire brigade, police, and medical teams. Schools and colleges in Thane, Panvel, and other districts declared holidays on Wednesday, while Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) clarified that city institutions would remain open, refuting a viral message claiming otherwise.
The IMD predicts continued heavy rainfall across the Konkan region until August 21, urging residents to remain vigilant amid ongoing disruptions.