MUMBAI, Aug 19: Heavy rains continued to lash Mumbai for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, bringing the financial capital to a standstill with waterlogging, traffic snarls, train suspensions, flight delays, and rain-related incidents across the city and adjoining areas.
By 3 pm, the city had recorded nearly 300 mm of rainfall, leading to widespread disruption. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for Konkan region, including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Palghar, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall till Wednesday.
Air traffic was badly hit, with at least eight flights diverted and several delayed. The Central Railway suspended local train services on the Harbour Line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla after tracks were submerged under nearly 17 inches of water. The disruption left thousands of commuters stranded.
The situation worsened after the Mithi River crossed the danger mark, submerging nearby areas. Around 350 residents of Kurla were evacuated to safer locations as a precautionary measure. To tackle emergencies, five NDRF teams have been deployed in Kranti Nagar and Kurla.
Road transport too was crippled as BEST bus services were either curtailed or diverted due to waterlogging on major stretches. The Mumbai Monorail suffered a technical failure amid heavy rain, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded mid-air, before being rescued with the help of cranes by the fire brigade.
Amid the chaos, schools, colleges, and government offices remained closed, while the BMC appealed to private offices to allow employees to work from home.
Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert as the city braces for more heavy downpours over the next 24 hours.
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