Mumbai is grappling with severe flooding and disruptions after experiencing its heaviest rainfall in 24 hours in the past 5 years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 268 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with some areas receiving over 300 mm. The eastern suburbs have been the worst affected, leading to widespread waterlogging and chaos across the city.The heavy downpour has brought the city to a virtual standstill. Local train services, the lifeline of Mumbai, have been severely impacted with many routes suspended or delayed due to waterlogging on tracks. The Central Railway reported that several stations and tracks were flooded, leading to numerous train cancellations. Road traffic has also been heavily affected, with commuters wading through knee-deep water and traffic piling up on highways.Air travel has not been spared either. Flight operations at Mumbai airport have been disrupted, with 27 diversions reported and many flights experiencing delays or cancellations. India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has reported delays in some of its flights.In response to the crisis, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for all government and private schools and colleges in the affected areas. The Mumbai University has also rescheduled exams. Authorities have urged citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and to call the emergency number 1916 for assistance.The IMD has issued an orange alert for the region and predicts continued heavy rainfall. A high tide of 4.40 meters was expected at 1:57 pm, further complicating the situation. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in several areas of Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra to assist with relief efforts.Despite the chaos, there have been no reports of casualties so far. However, scores of vehicles are stuck or submerged in water, and many housing complexes are waterlogged. The BMC and other authorities are working to address the situation and have appealed to citizens not to believe in rumors.
Key points
- Mumbai experienced its heaviest rainfall in 24 hours in the past 5 years, causing severe flooding and disruptions.
- Local train services, road traffic, and flight operations have been severely impacted.
- Schools and colleges have been closed, and the NDRF has been deployed for relief efforts.
- Authorities have issued warnings and urged citizens to stay indoors.
