BB Desk
Mumbai remained on high alert on Monday after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), acting on warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), urged residents to stay indoors as torrential rain continued to clobber the city. The IMD issued a Red Alert for Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds of up to 80-90 kmph and the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas.
Heavy overnight showers led to widespread waterlogging across several parts of the city, slowing road traffic and disrupting suburban rail services in affected stretches. Authorities warned of high tide conditions that could aggravate flooding in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas, prompting emergency agencies to remain on standby.
As a precautionary measure, all government, private and BMC-run schools and colleges remained closed on Monday, while civic authorities appealed to citizens to avoid non-essential travel. Government and private offices were permitted to function, although many organisations advised employees to work from home due to the severe weather.
The incessant rainfall also affected transport infrastructure. Rail services witnessed delays on some routes, while flight operations faced disruptions because of adverse weather conditions. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and sections of the Konkan transport corridor were also impacted by heavy rain and landslides, affecting the movement of commuters.
According to the IMD, Mumbai had already received nearly 80 per cent of its average July rainfall within the first four days of the month, underscoring the intensity of the current monsoon spell. Several locations across the city recorded rainfall exceeding 200 mm, with some stations crossing the 300 mm mark.
The BMC has deployed emergency response teams, pumps and disaster management personnel across the city to tackle flooding, remove fallen trees and respond to emergencies. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors, avoid waterlogged areas, and monitor official weather advisories as heavy rainfall is expected to continue through the day.
