Mumbai Reels Under Heavy Monsoon Rains: Flights Cancelled, Red Alert Issued

Mumbai faced severe disruptions on Monday as heavy monsoon rains and strong winds lashed the city. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport saw 17 flights cancelled and over 200 delayed. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding districts, warning of continued intense downpours. This has led to widespread waterlogging, affecting train services and causing traffic issues on key highways.

Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) were severely disrupted on Monday as intense monsoon rainfall and gusty winds continued to batter Mumbai, with 17 flights cancelled and over 200 delayed, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city and neighbouring districts.

Due to heavy rains, 17 flights were cancelled and 217 flights were delayed till 1130 hours today at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, say airport sources.

The IMD has issued a red alert, its highest warning level, for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad, in effect through Tuesday, as the monsoon system intensifies over the region.

The disruption comes a day after Sunday's weather-related chaos at the airport, when heavy rain and strong winds up to 42 knots forced authorities to suspend runway operations entirely for an hour, between 10:17 am and 11:17 am.

Mumbai city and its suburbs have witnessed continuous heavy downpours, leading to severe waterlogging on major roads, disruption of suburban train services after tracks were inundated in areas like Nalasopara and Vasai, and flooding in low-lying parts of Raigad that has affected traffic on the Mumbai-Goa highway.