Mumbai’s vital suburban railway network ground to a halt on Tuesday morning as relentless overnight rainfall inundated tracks, severely disrupting services across multiple lines. ABP Majha reported that waterlogging submerged tracks at Matunga station, causing Central Railway’s Mainline services between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane to be suspended until further notice. The Harbour Line, critical for connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai, also faced complete suspension due to flooding, particularly between Kurla and CSMT. Western Railway services, though less impacted, experienced delays of up to 40 minutes. A technical issue between Shahad and Ambivli stations beyond Kalyan further hampered Central Railway operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted intensified rainfall for the next three to four hours, warning of potential flooding at additional low-lying stations. Kurla and Ghatkopar stations reported severe water accumulation, with commuters at Ghatkopar struggling to reach platforms amid flooded surroundings. The IMD recorded 177 mm of rainfall across Mumbai in six to eight hours on Monday, with Vikhroli seeing 139.5 mm, Santacruz 129.1 mm, Juhu 128.5 mm, and Chembur 125 mm. Heavy showers are expected to persist through August 20 and 21 under cloudy skies.
To ease commuter strain, Central Railway has deployed shuttle services between Thane and Karjat, Khopoli, and Kasara. However, the suspension of both Mainline and Harbour Line services has pushed commuters toward alternative transport, overwhelming bus depots near Thane and Dadar and clogging roads. At Dadar, waterlogged tracks slowed operations, while submerged rails along the Andheri-Jogeshwari stretch halted trains. In Thane and Kalwa, passengers resorted to walking along tracks to board trains. Western Railway restored normal operations by 09:30 hrs, but delays persisted. The IMD’s red alert for Mumbai and surrounding districts signals ongoing disruptions as the city grapples with the monsoon’s impact.
