Mumbai Reels Under Torrential Rains: City Paralyzed, Roads Flooded, Flights Delayed

Mumbai witnessed record-breaking heavy rains today, causing massive waterlogging, traffic jams, flight delays, and significant property damage across multiple localities. Here's a detailed report on the situation.

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Jul 23, 2025 - 14:14
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Mumbai Reels Under Torrential Rains: City Paralyzed, Roads Flooded, Flights Delayed

Mumbai Rain Havoc: Torrential Downpour Brings Maximum City to Its Knees

Mumbai, July 23, 2025 – The city of Mumbai is once again grappling with the wrath of nature as relentless rains since the early hours of Wednesday have left several parts of the metropolis submerged, disrupting daily life on an alarming scale. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded over 220 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours, with no immediate sign of respite. Public infrastructure, local train networks, air traffic, and roadways have taken a massive hit, while civic authorities scramble to control the chaos.

Major Areas Worst Affected by Waterlogging

Heavy rain led to severe waterlogging in areas such as Dadar, Kurla, Sion, Andheri East, and Chembur, leaving commuters stranded. Western Express Highway and Eastern Freeway were partially closed due to ankle-to-knee-deep water accumulation. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that over 60 major waterlogging complaints were received by noon.

In low-lying pockets like Hindmata and King’s Circle, vehicles were seen floating, with water entering residential apartments and shops. Some Mumbaikars took to rooftops and upper floors for safety, reminiscent of the city’s worst floods in 2005 and 2017.

Local Train and Metro Disruptions

Mumbai’s lifeline — its local trains — bore the brunt of the downpour. Central Railway services were suspended between Kurla and CST as tracks were submerged under several feet of water. On the Western Line, trains ran late by over 45 minutes, leaving thousands of daily commuters stranded on flooded platforms.

The Mumbai Metro Line 1 (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar) saw intermittent delays and technical faults, forcing several passengers to seek alternative transport amidst increasing chaos.

Mumbai Airport Flights Delayed and Diverted

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also witnessed major disruptions. A spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) confirmed that over 30 incoming and outgoing flights were delayed, while at least five flights were diverted to Ahmedabad and Goa due to poor visibility and runway flooding.

In a press note, MIAL advised passengers to check their flight status with respective airlines before leaving for the airport. Runway operations resumed briefly around 2:30 PM but were again halted due to another spell of heavy showers.

Power Outages and Property Damage

Several residential colonies in Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Dahisar reported power outages since the morning. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) stated that precautionary power cuts were imposed in heavily waterlogged areas to prevent electrocution hazards.

In Jogeshwari, the collapse of an under-construction wall injured two laborers. In another incident in Malad East, the ceiling of a small commercial shop caved in due to water seepage. No fatalities have been reported so far, though damage to property and public infrastructure is extensive.

BMC's Emergency Response and Helpline Activation

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deployed NDRF teams in low-lying zones and activated emergency control rooms. Pumps have been installed in vulnerable zones like Sion Circle, Milan Subway, and Dahisar Subway, where water levels had crossed 3 feet by midday.

Residents can reach out to BMC via the 24x7 helpline 1916 or tweet to @mybmc with location-tagged photos and complaints. The civic body also urged citizens to stay indoors unless travel was absolutely necessary.

School Closures and Work-from-Home Advisories

Several ICSE and CBSE-affiliated schools and junior colleges in the city and suburbs declared a half-day or full-day holiday due to safety concerns. Many private offices in Bandra Kurla Complex, Lower Parel, and Fort advised their employees to work from home to avoid unnecessary travel.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Education Department issued an advisory asking all schools in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to remain shut until the situation improves.

IMD Issues Red Alert: What’s Next?

The IMD Mumbai Regional Centre has issued a Red Alert for the next 24 hours, warning of "extremely heavy rainfall" in isolated pockets. Citizens are warned against venturing out unless essential. The heavy rainfall is attributed to an active offshore trough and low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea.

Weather experts suggest that rainfall intensity may reduce slightly post-Thursday evening but are cautious about potential landslides in hill areas of Thane and Raigad districts.

Real Human Stories: City’s Spirit Tested Once Again

32-year-old Rohit Mishra, a delivery executive in Andheri, said, “I had to leave my bike behind on a flooded street and wade through waist-deep water to reach home. My delivery app crashed, and I lost income for the entire day.”

In Dadar, Shanta Bai, a domestic help, was forced to take shelter at her employer’s home overnight. “My chawl is flooded. We placed bricks inside the house to keep belongings above water.”

Despite the chaos, many local citizens stepped in to offer stranded commuters food, shelter, and mobile charging stations. A group of students from Mumbai University even set up a temporary helpdesk near Elphinstone Road station, offering chai and biscuits to affected passengers.

Action by Government and Civic Authorities

Mumbai’s Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar visited waterlogged zones in Kurla and Sion and assured rapid response. He stated that ₹200 crore has been allocated for monsoon preparedness this year and that every effort is being made to ensure drainage systems remain functional.

The Maharashtra CM’s office tweeted: “CM Shri Eknath Shinde is monitoring the situation closely. Rescue teams are on high alert, and instructions have been given to prioritize safety and restore essential services quickly.”

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Conclusion: Mumbai’s Resilience Faces Another Test

As the city wades through another grueling monsoon day, it’s clear that infrastructure challenges, despite years of planning and budgets, continue to plague Mumbai. While civic agencies are working round the clock, the ever-growing population, rapid urban development, and climate unpredictability make flood mitigation a persistent challenge.

For now, Mumbaikars are once again showing their hallmark resilience — helping each other, sharing resources, and staying hopeful that tomorrow brings better weather and clearer skies.

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