Heavy Rains Cripple Mumbai Flights Cancelled, Trains Delayed

Mumbai has been severely affected by torrential rainfall over the past 24 hours, leading to significant waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. The deluge, which saw some areas in the city record over 300 mm of rainfall within a mere six-hour window from 1 am to 7 am on Monday, has caused widespread chaos.

Over 50 flights have been cancelled as a result of the heavy downpour. Airlines have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to caution passengers, urging them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. The impact of the rain was vividly illustrated by visuals showing people wading through waist-deep waters and vehicles stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on waterlogged streets. In response to the severe weather conditions, all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges across Mumbai have been closed. This precautionary measure aims to ensure the safety of students amidst the inclement weather. Commuters faced significant challenges, with one stating, “My car is stuck on the road. There is no point in blaming the government for the rains. The government is doing its job.”

Train services have been notably affected, particularly at Dombivli station where commuters were seen waiting on submerged tracks. Key areas of Mumbai, including Worli, Kurla East, King’s Circle, Dadar, and Vidyavihar Railway Station, reported severe waterlogging. The disruption extends to the suburban local train services used daily by over 30 lakh commuters in Mumbai and its neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. The situation escalated further as train services between Kasara and Titwala stations in Thane district were suspended due to soil covering the tracks between Atgaon and Thansit stations. This disruption affected rail traffic on the crucial Kalyan-Kasara route, with the tracks being declared unsafe around 6.30 am.

Officials have indicated that waterlogging could subside if the rain ceases for over two hours, yet the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continuous heavy to very heavy rainfall for Mumbai throughout the day. Sea waves reaching heights of 4.4 metres are also expected at high tide around 2 pm, adding to the city’s woes. Several trains have been diverted, rescheduled, or terminated due to the waterlogging between Kalyan and Kasara stations of the Mumbai division. The track embankment on the Vasind-Khardi section sustained damage due to flash floods between 3 am and 6 am, further exacerbating the situation.

In light of these challenges, several teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across affected areas including Thane, Vasai (Palghar), Mahad (Raigad), Chiplun (Ratnagiri), Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Ghatkopar, Kurla, and Sindhudurg. Their presence underscores the seriousness of the current weather conditions and the ongoing efforts to mitigate its impact. The heavy rains have brought Mumbai to a standstill, highlighting the need for robust disaster preparedness and swift response mechanisms to handle such extreme weather events effectively. Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and adhere to safety advisories issued by local authorities.