‘Next 48 Hours Critical for Mumbai’: Monsoon Deluge Paralyzes Maharashtra Regions; 6 Fatalities | 10 Key Points
Mumbai: Heavy rainfall has pummeled Mumbai and other regions of Maharashtra, including Pune, over recent days, leading to multiple fatalities and grinding daily life to a near halt. Flooded roads, underpasses, and railway lines have caused chaos, with air travel also taking a hit.
The city’s essential local train services its primary transport backbone have been halted, while educational institutions, colleges, and public offices were closed on Tuesday amid the relentless downpour. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the area.
A red alert was also declared by the IMD for Pune district that same day.
Experts attribute the intense showers to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal combined with intensified monsoon currents.
Maharashtra Rains | Top Developments
– Fatalities and Displacement in Maharashtra: Officials reported that at least six individuals have lost their lives, with hundreds forced from their homes in the past few days due to severe flooding across multiple districts. The rains have triggered inundations, blocked roadways, and extensive crop destruction, as per a PTI news agency update. Reports on the total death count in Maharashtra vary.
– Mumbai Grinds to a Halt, Critical Period Ahead: Monday and Tuesday’s heavy rains flooded low-lying zones in Mumbai, snarling traffic and disrupting local trains, which threw everyday routines into disarray in the city and nearby areas. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after assessing the situation with disaster management teams, warned that the coming 48 hours are pivotal for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts, all on high alert, according to the PTI report mentioned earlier.
– Massive Rainfall Recorded in Mumbai: The city saw 300mm of rain in the 24 hours from 8 a.m. on August 18 to 8 a.m. on August 19, as stated by the Maharashtra chief minister during a Tuesday media briefing. A Times of India article noted that Mumbai and its suburbs accumulated 500mm over 84 hours ending Monday. Central Railway halted operations on the harbour line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla due to waterlogged tracks from the downpour.
– Statewide Death Toll from Rains: Rain-linked incidents have claimed at least six lives in Maharashtra recently, per the PTI report. While specifics for Mumbai fatalities weren’t detailed, a TOI story from Tuesday mentioned two deaths: a 75-year-old security guard killed by a collapsing wall at Nepean Sea Road, and a man electrocuted in Kanjurmarg.
– Nanded Faces Severe Impact: Among the hardest-hit areas, Nanded saw more than 290 residents rescued from flooded villages, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army units deployed, according to PTI. The chief minister reported eight deaths from rain-related events in Nanded on Tuesday, linking the floods to a situation resembling a cloudburst. The timeframe for these fatalities remains unclear.
– Red Alert for Pune Rains: On Tuesday, Pune’s district administration posted on X about a red alert for August 19, anticipating heavy downpours in the ghat regions accompanied by gusty winds. They urged residents to stay cautious.
Also read: Mumbai Rains: Devendra Fadnavis Says Mithi River Water Level Gradually Declining
– Closures in Mumbai for Schools and Offices: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a shutdown for all government and semi-government offices in Mumbai on Tuesday, recommending that private firms let staff work remotely, excluding essential services. Schools and colleges stayed closed on both Monday and Tuesday in the city.
– Mithi River Breaches Danger Levels: The Mithi River exceeded its warning threshold, causing flooding in densely packed neighborhoods like Kurla and Sakinaka, as well as on rail lines and near the airport. Images shared by Ward L BMC on X depicted the evacuation of people from Kranti Nagar in Kurla West due to the rising Mithi River.
– Conditions in Western Maharashtra and Konkan: In western Maharashtra, Kolhapur’s Radhanagari dam discharged 11,500 cusecs into the Bhogavati River amid heavy inflows, pushing the Panchganga River over danger marks for the fifth time this season. In the Konkan area, Raigad’s Roha taluka logged over 160mm of rain on Monday, with the Kundalika and Savitri Rivers surpassing safe levels. Local authorities closed all schools and colleges there on Tuesday.
Also read: Mumbai rains: 12 Dead as Heavy Rain Triggers Floods
– Forecast for Maharashtra Weather: The IMD predicts heavy rains persisting in Konkan, including Mumbai, and sections of central Maharashtra for the next two days. An orange alert is in place for Marathwada and Vidarbha, expected to downgrade to yellow later in the week as rainfall eases.