Over 300mm of rainfall within six hours from 1 am to 7 am on Monday flooded low-lying areas in Mumbai, disrupted suburban trains, and forced the closure of schools and colleges.
Water logging slowed traffic at key locations such as the south-bound elevated airport road, King Circle Matunga, Kurla depot, Dadar TT, Hindmata Junction, Ram Nagar Subway (Vakola), Andheri Subway SV Road, and Sakkar Chowk-Wadala.
Trains were operating on the main line, but due to heavy rains and water logging between Bhandup and Nahur, train services were disrupted. Services were resumed by clamping and padlocking, completed at 6:45 am. Harbour line services were running normally.
Officials stated that high-capacity water pumps were being used to drain water, and railway staff were monitoring the situation to keep Mumbai’s lifeline running. Suburban trains were delayed by up to 10 minutes, with water above track level between Matunga Road and Dadar. At least five trains were cancelled.
Train services on the mainline between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Thane were briefly suspended on the fast line due to water logging. Harbour line services were temporarily halted at Chunnabhati.
Over 10-15 lawmakers, including minister Anil Patil, were stranded on a train due to rain near Kurla. Patil and lawmaker Amol Mitkari later walked to the nearest road.
Regional Meteorological Centre scientist Sushma Nair said an offshore trough along the Gujarat to north Kerala coast, which strengthened along the north Konkan coast around midnight, led to the heavy rainfall.
According to a nowcast for Mumbai, moderate spells of rainfall were expected in the city and suburbs for three hours until 1 pm. Heavy rainfall was likely at isolated places over the next 24 hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 170mm of rain between 2:30 am and 5:30 am at the Santacruz observatory. In the 24 hours ending 8:30 am on Monday, the Santacruz weather station recorded 268mm, and Colaba 84mm of rainfall. Thane recorded 119mm of rain. Some places saw rainfall exceeding 150mm: Vikhroli received 184mm, Dahisar 181mm, Ram Mandir 178mm, Chembur 190mm, Sion 205mm, Matunga 159mm, and Byculla 128mm.
The IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, apart from a 4.40m high tide at 1:57 pm.
Opposition Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat criticized the poor work on nullah cleaning and the absence of precautionary steps, stating it put people in hardship. “There are no elected representatives in the civic body, and it has worsened the situation.”
IMD predicts more showers
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout Monday, July 8, with the likelihood of thunderstorms at night.
