Mumbai Heavy Rainfall: Mumbai reels under relentless rain: Record August downpour brings city to standstill, rivers, trains, and roads in crisis; all you need to know about the city’s unprecedented monsoon mayhem | Mumbai News

Mumbai experienced extreme rainfall, leading to significant disruptions across the city and its metropolitan region. The intense downpour resulted in waterlogging, traffic congestion, and power outages, impacting transportation networks and forcing evacuations.

NEW DELHI: Mumbai endured another day of relentless rainfall on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) red alert proving spot-on. The downpour, part of one of the city’s longest and heaviest rain spells in recent years, has pushed the city’s August rainfall to 891 mm well, above the average of 560.8 mm , making it the wettest August in five years. So far, the monsoon season total has crossed 2,193.2 mm, exceeding the average of 2,101.8 mm.The intense rain left Mumbai and its metropolitan region grappling with waterlogging, traffic snarls, power outages, flight diversions, and mass evacuations. Chincholi in Malad recorded a staggering 361 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, among the highest across the city. Several other areas, including Dadar, Wadala, Sion, Powai, Vikhroli, and Chembur, received 200–300 mm of rain, while Vasai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai reported triple-digit showers.

Mumbai rain at a glance

Transport gridlock and commuter woes

BEST faced one of its largest-ever operational disruptions in recent years, diverting 135 bus routes due to waterlogged roads. Suburban train services were severely affected: the Central Railway suspended the CSMT-Thane corridor and the Harbour line between CSMT-Mankhurd and Chunabhatti around 11.45 am. Water levels on tracks reached 11 inches on the Main line and 19 inches on the Harbour line, far exceeding safe limits. Services were gradually restored, with the Harbour line fully operational by 8.30 pm. Shuttle services continued between Mankhurd-Panvel, Thane-Karjat, and Kasara to ease commuter movement. Hundreds of passengers were stranded in compartments, with some forced to jump onto slippery tracks. BMC staff provided food, water, and assistance at stations.

The Monorail also suffered major disruptions. Two rakes stalled due to power cuts caused by overcrowding, leaving hundreds trapped for hours. In one instance, 582 passengers were rescued, with several treated for suffocation. Fire Brigade personnel used cranes and rescue tools to bring down stranded commuters, while MMRDA confirmed the technical failure resulted from the total weight exceeding design limits. Flights were partially affected, with 11 departures diverted and 24 arrivals forced to abort landing between midnight and 7 pm. Cascading delays impacted schedules throughout the day.

Flooding, evacuations, and casualties

Rising water levels of Mithi river forced evacuation of 400 residents from low-lying areas in Kurla, while 500 residents in Panvel and 15 families in Uttan, Mira Bhayander, were moved to safer locations. Landslide-prone areas like Surya Nagar in Vikhroli and Khindipada in Bhandup saw residents shifted to SRA buildings. In Thane’s Lokmanya Nagar, a 70-year-old man was injured in a landslide. Tragically, a man in Bhandup (W) was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire at LBS Marg. Police and locals had cautioned passersby as sparks from the fallen overhead wire posed serious danger.

Across Maharashtra, the rains have taken a severe toll. Eight people died in a cloudburst in Mukhed taluka, Nanded, and 21 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents since Aug 15. Large-scale inundation affected 12–14 lakh hectares of farmland, causing crop losses. The state government activated NDRF and SDRF teams and advised district collectors to provide aid for life and property loss as per guidelines.Impact on civic servicesSchools and colleges in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Palghar were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. BMC declared holidays for government offices and advised private institutions to allow work from home. Power outages hit several suburbs, including Kurla, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Kandvli, Ghatkopar, Vile Parle, and Mira Road, following shutdowns at substations. Flight operations were partially disrupted, with 11 departures diverted and 24 arrivals forced to abort landing, leading to cascading delays throughout the day. Auto and taxi refusals were rampant, adding to commuter woes. The city’s water reservoirs are nearing capacity. Modak Sagar is 97.8% full, Tansa 100%, and Vaitarna 97.2%. Mithi river, fed by Powai and Vihar lakes, remains a critical drainage channel, with only 75% of it desilted due to previous contract irregularities.

The relentless rains have taken a toll across Maharashtra. In Marathwada, eight people died in a cloudburst in Mukhed, Nanded, while crop loss affected 12–14 lakh hectares over the past 3–4 days. Between Aug 15–19, at least 21 deaths were reported statewide due to rain-related incidents. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said district collectors have been empowered to extend aid for loss of life, property, or crops under NDRF guidelines. The state government also announced holidays for schools and advised work-from-home arrangements for offices, except essential services. NDRF and SDRF teams are on alert across the state, with monitoring ongoing near dams and rivers that have reached or crossed danger levels. BMC’s Mithi river desilting work remains incomplete after irregularities in previous contracts stalled progress. High tide added further pressure, peaking at 3.75 m at 9.16 am.Weather Outlook IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai on Wednesday, expecting rainfall to continue, albeit with slightly reduced intensity. Some relief is anticipated from Thursday, under a yellow alert, as the depression over the Bay of Bengal weakens into a well-marked low-pressure area.

Mumbai rain update: Rainfall surpasses annual average

Rainfall in City (Tuesday)Recorded at IMD’s main observatories (in mm):

Recorded at IMD’s automatic weather stations in 10 hours till 6 pm (in mm):

In 24 hours till 8:30 am (in mm):

Reservoirs & Water Levels