Mumbai Rains: Red Alert Issued as City Experiences Heavy Downpour and Waterlogging

Mumbai woke up to heavy rains on Thursday with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the financial capital and adjoining areas of Thane, Palghar and Raigad. Several areas, including Andheri, Kings Circle, Gandhi Market areas witnessed waterlogging as Mumbai city recorded 134 mm rainfall with the eastern suburbs at 164 mm, and the western suburbs receiving 149 mm of rainfall.

The weather agency predicted intense spells of rain at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places for July 2.

According to IMD, Mumbai recorded heavy overnight rainfall, with the highest downpour recorded at Santacruz (165.9 mm) between 8.30 am on July 1 and 5.30 am on July 2.

Other areas that saw intense rainfall included Juhu (164.5 mm), Vikhroli (163 mm), Ram Mandir (157 mm), Bandra (141.5 mm) and Vidyavihar (132 mm). Sion recorded 115 mm, while Chembur received 99.5 mm, Colaba 99 mm and Byculla 97.5 mm during the same period.

According to Mumbai rainfall data shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the eastern suburbs (ES) recorded the highest rainfall from 8:00 am on July 1 to 6:00 am on July 2, with Mithagar Municipal School in Mulund receiving 218.6 mm of rain. It was followed by S Ward Office with 212 mm, Paspoli Powai Municipal School in Powai with 208.4 mm, Gawanpada Fire Station with 205.8 mm, and Mankhurd Fire Station with 200 mm.

In the western suburbs (WS), SWM Santacruz Workshop recorded the highest rainfall at 216 mm, closely followed by Nariyal Wadi School, Santacruz, with 214.4 mm. Andheri Fire Station received 204 mm, while Cooper Hospital and K West Ward Office recorded 193.2 mm and 192.6 mm, respectively.

In the city area, the highest rainfall was recorded at G South Ward Office, which received 187.8 mm. This was followed by F South Ward Office with 179 mm, F North Ward Office with 175 mm, B Nadkarni Park Municipal School, Wadala, with 173.6 mm, and Adarsh Nagar School, Worli, with 172.8 mm.

The weather office has advised Mumbai residents to avoid staying near weak structures and low-lying areas, steer clear of waterlogging-prone locations, maintain a safe distance from trees and electric poles, and stay updated with the latest weather advisories.

The warning comes after heavy overnight rainfall triggered waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several parts of Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), prompting authorities to urge citizens to exercise caution.

Heavy and persistent rainfall on Wednesday caused waterlogging across several low-lying areas of Mumbai, disrupting road traffic and slowing suburban train services for the second consecutive day.

According to the BMC, complaints of waterlogging were received from Andheri, Santacruz, Khar, Bandra, Kurla, Vikhroli, Powai, Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Mulund following intense rainfall and a 4.16-metre afternoon high tide. Water also entered the Andheri subway, prompting authorities to divert traffic in affected stretches.

Commuters reported slow-moving traffic across the city, while suburban train services operated with delays of 10 to 15 minutes. Earlier in the day, services on the Harbour Line were also disrupted after an overhead wire snapped between 4.52 am and 5.45 am, affecting local train movement.

The BMC said it received 45 complaints of fallen trees and branches, seven incidents of short circuits, and three complaints of partial house or wall collapses during the day. No injuries were reported in these incidents.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as the city remained under a red alert for heavy rainfall. "If you have work, come out; otherwise, enjoy this heavy rain with caution," she said, asking citizens to contact the Disaster Management Control Room in case of emergencies.