Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash the Indian state of Maharashtra on Monday, causing widespread flooding, transport disruptions and fatalities as authorities warned residents to prepare for more intense rainfall over the coming days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, forecasting another spell of heavy rain that could bring the city’s monthly average rainfall within just a few days. Forecasters expect conditions to gradually improve from July 8.
Roads Closed After Flooding and Landslides
Persistent rainfall forced authorities to suspend traffic on both the Pune–Mumbai Expressway and the old Pune–Mumbai highway after flooding and landslides made travel unsafe. Police have advised motorists to avoid all non-essential journeys between the two cities until further notice.
The severe weather has also disrupted rail services across parts of Maharashtra, while waterlogged roads caused major traffic congestion throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Mumbai Nears Entire Month’s Rainfall in Five Days
Mumbai has experienced exceptional rainfall since the beginning of July. The Santacruz weather station recorded 805.6 mm of rain between July 1 and July 6, representing approximately 94% of its average rainfall for the entire month.
Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory has already exceeded its average July total after measuring 744.2 mm of rainfall. The station also recorded its wettest July day in more than five decades.
Flooding and waterlogging have affected numerous parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Vasai and Palghar.
Fatal Building Collapse and Flight Disruptions
The relentless monsoon has turned deadly. In the Mankhurd area of Mumbai, a four-storey building collapsed onto a neighboring shanty, killing six people, including five children.
Authorities also reported more than 200 incidents of fallen trees across the city, resulting in two additional fatalities and widespread damage to roads and power infrastructure.
Operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were disrupted as heavy rain and wind gusts reaching 75 km/h affected flight schedules. Public transport also faced major challenges, with the city’s BEST bus operator diverting services on 43 routes because of flooded streets.
Schools Closed as More Rain Forecast
As a precaution, schools and colleges across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have been closed while emergency services remain on high alert. Authorities continue to monitor river levels, drainage systems and vulnerable buildings as further heavy rainfall is expected before weather conditions begin to improve later this week.
