The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for heavy rainfall in Mumbai and surrounding areas, effective until 8:30 AM on September 26. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai and its suburbs.
The IMD also issued a ‘red alert’ for Palghar and Nashik districts, along with an ‘orange alert’ for Mumbai, forecasting significant rainfall over the next five days. Torrential rain on Wednesday caused widespread disruptions, including delays in local train services and flight operations, as well as severe waterlogging that led to traffic congestion in various areas.
In light of the heavy rain forecast, officials in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Palghar announced the closure of schools and colleges for Thursday.
The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in isolated areas of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Dhule, Nandurbar, and Pune. The regional meteorological center stated that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are very likely in these regions. Additionally, heavy rainfall is expected in Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat, Konkan, and Goa, continuing from Thursday to Friday.
Waterlogging and Traffic Disruptions
Severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions were reported throughout the city. A landslide at the Mumbra bypass further complicated travel, while areas like Kurla East, Nehru Nagar, and Chembur experienced significant flooding. Traffic jams were particularly severe on the Kurla bridge.
School Closures
Due to the IMD’s heavy rain alerts, the BMC announced a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai on Thursday, urging residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Pune’s District Collector declared a public holiday for schools in Pune city and Pimpri Chinchwad, while Thane Municipal Corporation and Palghar district administration also announced school closures.
Local Train Services
Local train services on Mumbai’s Harbour line resumed after water levels receded, though trains were delayed and running at reduced speeds. Central Railway confirmed that services resumed cautiously at a speed of 25 km/h, beginning around 11:23 PM.
Landslide Incident
Heavy rains triggered a landslide at the Mumbra bypass around 11:30 PM on Wednesday, causing a traffic jam that lasted three hours. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and traffic was managed effectively while the area was cleared using JCB machinery.
Fatal Incident
A 45-year-old woman, Vimal Gaikwad, drowned in an open drain in the MIDC area of Andheri following the heavy rains. BMC officials reported that she was rescued by the Mumbai fire brigade but was declared dead upon arrival at Cooper Hospital.
Flight Disruptions
Due to heavy rainfall, 14 incoming flights to Mumbai Airport were diverted on Wednesday. This included nine IndiGo flights that could not land due to adverse weather conditions, as well as flights from Vistara, Air India, Akasa, and Gulf Air. Diversions included seven flights redirected to Hyderabad, four to Ahmedabad, two to Mopa Airport in Goa, and one to Udaipur. The continuous downpour since the afternoon contributed to significant waterlogging and traffic issues throughout the city.
