Mumbai weather: For the commuters, here’s an update on local trains, traffic and flights services to and from Mumbai.
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is no stranger to monsoon mayhem. Every year, as the clouds gather and the rains pour, the city braces for a familiar struggle — waterlogged streets, delayed local trains, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and diverted flights. This year has been no different. In fact, the recent downpour has brought the city to a near standstill, highlighting once again how vulnerable India’s most populous metropolis remains to extreme weather events.
Heavy Rains Lash the City
In the past 24 hours, several parts of Mumbai received incessant rainfall, with some areas recording over 200 mm. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert, warning citizens of extremely heavy rainfall. The warning proved accurate. From early morning, commuters faced challenges reaching their destinations as water quickly accumulated in low-lying areas.
Suburbs such as Dadar, Sion, Kurla, Andheri, and Chembur witnessed knee-deep water, while roads near Hindmata, a flood-prone zone, resembled small rivers. Social media platforms were flooded with videos of citizens wading through waterlogged streets and vehicles stranded mid-road.
Local Trains Face Major Delays
Mumbai’s local train network, often called the lifeline of the city, bore the brunt of the monsoon fury. Services on the Central and Harbour lines were severely disrupted due to water on the tracks. Trains were running late by over 30 minutes in some sectors, and many were halted altogether.
Western Railway reported that services were operational but moving slower than usual due to reduced visibility and safety precautions. Many office-goers who rely on the rail network were forced to either cancel their plans or switch to private cabs and buses, leading to further congestion on the roads.
Road Traffic Disrupted
The traffic situation across the city was no better. Major junctions experienced massive snarls, with vehicles moving at a snail’s pace. According to Mumbai Traffic Police, traffic was heavily affected at several key points including Bandra, Goregaon, Sion Circle, and Mulund.
Buses operated by BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) faced significant delays. In some cases, routes were diverted to avoid waterlogged zones. With public transport crippled, many citizens took to social media to vent their frustration, with #MumbaiRains and #TrafficChaos trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Flights Diverted and Delayed
The downpour didn’t just affect the roads and rails — the skies were no exception. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported multiple delays and at least a dozen flights were diverted to nearby airports due to poor visibility and wet runways.
Passengers at the airport faced long wait times and confusion, with many unaware of the real-time status of their flights. Airlines issued advisories asking travelers to check flight schedules in advance and arrive early.
Civic Body on High Alert
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has activated emergency teams to pump out water from key junctions and deploy response units across the city. Schools and colleges in several districts were advised to remain closed for the day.
Despite pre-monsoon desilting work, the city’s outdated drainage system once again came under scrutiny. Experts argue that Mumbai needs a long-term infrastructure overhaul to cope with the increasing intensity of rainfall, which is likely to become more frequent due to climate change.
A Wake-Up Call?
While monsoons are a welcome relief from the summer heat and a crucial source of water for the region, they also expose the cracks in the urban planning of one of the most densely populated cities in the world. With climate change worsening and rainfall becoming more erratic, Mumbai must invest in sustainable infrastructure and proactive governance.
Until then, Mumbaikars will continue to show their trademark resilience — umbrellas in hand, shoes in bags, and hope in their hearts.
Also Read : Monsoon Arrives in India: Earliest Onset Over Indian Mainland Since 2009
