Mumbai Paralyzed by Heavy Rainfall: Public Transport Disrupted, Flooding Concerns Rise

Mumbai, 20th July 2024: Heavy rainfall overnight and continuing into the morning has paralyzed Mumbai, causing significant disruptions to public transport and creating difficulties for many commuters.

The weather office has reported that at 11:28 am, a high tide is expected with waves reaching up to 4.24 meters. This coincides with the ongoing heavy rains, raising concerns about potential flooding. Both Mumbai and Palghar are on a yellow alert, while Thane district is under a more severe orange alert.

Yesterday, Mumbai’s central region saw an average rainfall of 78 mm, while eastern and western areas recorded 57 mm and 67 mm respectively. Forecasts predict continued moderate to heavy rainfall, potentially worsening the current conditions.

Public transport in Mumbai has been heavily affected. Persistent rain has caused waterlogging on roads and railway tracks, leading to delays in suburban train services, which are running 15 to 20 minutes behind schedule. Accumulated water on the tracks at Chunabhatti on the Harbour line, coupled with high tide, has further slowed train operations.

The Central Railway main line faced additional delays due to a technical issue with a train engine. Western Railway services are also operating with delays, with all three lines—Central, Western, and Harbour—running about 10 minutes late.

The Andheri subway, a crucial route for many commuters, was temporarily closed due to severe waterlogging but was reopened later in the day after water levels receded.

Thane district has experienced heavy rain since midnight, leading to waterlogging at the Thane Vandana bus depot and the local market, disrupting daily activities.

In Nagpur, heavy rain warnings have led to the closure of schools district-wide. Nagpur District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar confirmed that all schools will remain closed today. Although flight operations at Nagpur airport are unaffected, Bhiwandi city is facing severe issues. Heavy rain has led to water accumulation in various parts of the city, including knee-deep water in the Teen Batti area of Sabzi Bazar. Many low-lying areas are at risk of water entering homes and businesses if the rain continues.