Mumbai — Torrential rains battered Mumbai for the third consecutive day, pushing the Mithi River past its 4-meter danger mark at Kranti Nagar near Bailbazar, Kurla West, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The overflow triggered urgent evacuations in low-lying slum areas, with residents relocated to nearby civic-run schools for safety. The BMC, supported by Mumbai Police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), is overseeing the evacuations, particularly in vulnerable zones like Kurla and Saki Naka.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall through August 21. The city recorded 177 mm of rain in just 6-8 hours, causing widespread waterlogging in areas such as Sion, Bandra, Dadar, and Andheri. Traffic disruptions paralyzed major routes, including the Eastern and Western Express Highways, where vehicles were stranded for hours. Local train services, critical to Mumbai’s daily commute, faced delays of 8-10 minutes, though no suspensions were reported.
At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, heavy rainfall led to significant flight disruptions, with six flights executing turnarounds and one diverted to Surat due to poor visibility. Departure delays averaged 56 minutes. The BMC declared a holiday for all schools and colleges and urged private offices to allow work-from-home arrangements to minimize travel risks. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the need for caution, noting that 15-16 districts across the state are under red or orange alerts due to intense rainfall.
In a rescue operation at King’s Circle, Matunga Police and BMC teams safely evacuated a school bus carrying six children, two women staff, and a driver stranded in floodwaters. The IMD attributed the extreme weather to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, warning of potential flood-like conditions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with the BMC prepared to relocate more residents if the Mithi River’s water levels rise further.
