Mumbai rain update: Heavy rains bring Mumbai to a standstill; several trains and flights hit, schools shut for safety
Mumbai rain: Heavy rains have lashed Mumbai and its surrounding regions in the last 24 hours, resulting in widespread waterlogging and disruptions to suburban train services. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and the Konkan belt due to the intense rainfall. Some areas in Mumbai have recorded over 300 mm of rainfall within a six-hour window from 1 am to 7 am on Monday.
Meanwhile, several flights have also been cancelled.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: The traffic slows down on Western Express Highway near Vile Parle as heavy rain lashes Mumbai city. pic.twitter.com/aAzQaayTqO — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024
Among the hardest-hit areas were Vikhroli's Veer Savarkar Marg Municipal School and MCMCR Powai, which saw the highest rainfall, recording over 315 mm in the last 24 hours. The torrential downpour led to severe flooding, with visuals across the city showing residents wading through waist-deep waters and cars lined up bumper to bumper on waterlogged roads.
In response to the severe weather conditions, all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges have been shut across Mumbai. Commuters faced significant challenges, especially at Dombivli station, where people were seen waiting for trains on submerged tracks. Other areas reporting waterlogging included Worli, Buntara Bhavan in Kurla East, King's Circle, Dadar, and Vidyavihar Railway Station. The daily lives of over 30 lakh commuters who rely on suburban train services in Mumbai and neighboring Thane, Palghar, and Raigad were severely impacted.
Train services between Kasara and Titwala stations in Thane district were suspended after soil covered the tracks between Atgaon and Thansit stations, causing disruptions on the busy Kalyan-Kasara route. Officials declared the tracks unsafe around 6:30 am, leading to significant delays and cancellations of several trains. The IMD has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai for the rest of the day, complicating efforts to mitigate the flooding. Sea waves of up to 4.4 metre are expected at high tide around 2 pm, further exacerbating the situation.
#WATCH | Local train services have resumed on Central Line after rainwater has receded; Visuals from Kurla station in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/r4vJEYr1Vc — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024
Due to the waterlogging between Kalyan and Kasara stations of the Mumbai division, several trains have been diverted, rescheduled, or terminated. Flash floods between 3 am and 6 am on the Vasind-Khardi section caused damage to the track embankment, adding to the travel woes.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed across several affected areas, including Thane, Vasai (Palghar), Mahad (Raigad), Chiplun (Ratnagiri), Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Ghatkopar, Kurla, and Sindhudurg. NDRF teams have been actively involved in rescue operations, using boats and life jackets to evacuate stranded residents. In Thane, 49 persons were rescued from a waterlogged resort, while 16 villagers were rescued in Palghar.
The authorities have stated that if the rain ceases for over two hours, the waterlogging will begin to subside. However, the IMD's forecast of continued heavy rain throughout the day suggests that relief may not come soon. The heavy rains have severely disrupted daily life, transportation, and emergency services, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive flood management and urban planning strategies to mitigate the impact of such extreme weather events in the future.
#WATCH | Pedestrian underpass at Vile Parle East waterlogged due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/SAxCj5BYZ0 — ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024
- With inputs from agencies
