Mumbai weather Highlights: One dead, trains, flights impacted as monsoon triggers heavy rains in Maharashtra

The minimum temperature is expected to be around 24°C, while the maximum is likely to reach approximately 31°C.

Heavy rain is forecasted to persist through Tuesday morning. However, according to the latest update from the IMD as per reports, the city could see some relief beginning Wednesday, with a likely decrease in rainfall intensity. In the meantime, residents are advised to remain cautious, as high tides, measuring 4.75 metres at 11:24 am and 4.17 metres at 11:09 pm today, may increase the risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas.

On Monday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde reviewed the rain situation in Thane. He assured citizens that extensive precautions had been implemented to prevent any casualties and noted that the city recorded 135 millimetres of rainfall during the day.

The intense spell was accompanied by a high tide of 4.75 metres at 11.24 am. Parts of south Mumbai, including Flora Fountain, Oval Maidan, Mantralaya, Churchgate Station, and CSMT, which rarely get flooded, also reported waterlogging on Monday morning.

The heavy downpours flooded several low-lying areas, including Hindmata, King Circle, Dadar TT, Kings Circle, Parel TT, Kalachowki, and JJ Marg, leading to diversions and delays in BEST bus services.

According to the IMD's Mumbai office, the data available since 1950 shows that this is the earliest arrival of the monsoon in the city.

Last year, the monsoon reached Mumbai on June 25. In preceding years, it arrived on June 11 in 2022, June 9 in 2021, June 14 in 2020, and June 25 in 2019. In 2020, the onset occurred on June 14, while in 2021 it was June 9.

BMC said it has deployed 417 pumps for quicker removal of water from low-lying areas in the metropolis. The Mumbai fire brigade is prepared to face any situation, and it has also been coordinating with the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), the release said.

The civic body also appealed to the citizens not to believe rumours and rely only on authentic sources of information or contact the 1916 helpline, if necessary.

At least five incidents of partial house collapses and 32 instances of tree falls were reported, though no injuries were recorded. A portion of the Haji Kasam building in Mahim gave away after which two residents were rescued from there, the BMC said.

Hiren Meena, divisional railway manager of the Mumbai division of Central Railway, blamed the civic body of Mumbai for the inundated railway tracks.

“Train services are affected due to: Heavy rain in the Mumbai region and overflow of BMC drainage lines High tide causing waterlogging on railway lines. Efforts are being made to coordinate with BMC Corporation to resolve the issue,” Meena wrote on his official X account.

South Mumbai recorded extremely heavy rainfall, with over 250 mm in just 13 hours ending at 11 am on Monday, officials said.

According to data shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Nariman Point received the highest rainfall at 252 mm, followed by the BMC headquarters (216 mm) and Colaba pumping station (207 mm) between 10 pm on May 25 and 11 am on May 26.

Thane and Palghar districts received heavy rainfall on Monday, prompting authorities to close some key roads and relocate residents from vulnerable areas, officials said. Kalyan Tehsildar Sachin Shejal said traffic on Raite bridge along Kalyan-Murbad road has been halted due to rising water levels of Ulhas river.

Responding to criticism over why the Metro station was inaugurated when work was yet to be finished, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the work on the Metro line had been completed. "If you don't start it, you will say why Metro was not inaugurated when it is complete," Shinde added. Metro Line 3 is Mumbai's first fully underground Metro line and is currently under phased construction.

Slamming the state government, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray jibed that the line had been aptly named "Aqua" since it "is under water today". "The Metro station was inaugurated two weeks ago. Apparently, things are falling from the top (ceiling). We see that debris has fallen down. Were safety measures followed when it was being inaugurated," Thackeray said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday attributed early arrival of the southwest monsoon and heavy rainfall in a short span for the inundation of low-lying areas in Mumbai, which disrupted road and railway traffic.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted more rain in Mumbai over the next 24 hours, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. The CM's Office has assured that necessary steps are being taken to safeguard citizens and minimise the impact of the ongoing weather conditions.

One person died in a lightning strike, while 48 people were rescued from inundated areas as heavy rains battered several places in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, on Monday, the office of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

“Pune, Satara, Solapur, Raigad, Mumbai and MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) have received heavy rainfall. Daund received 117 mm of rain in 24 hours, Baramati 104.75 mm, while 63.25 mm was recorded in Indapur,” the statement said.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal slammed the state government and civic body after heavy rains on Monday morning affected road and rail traffic in the metropolis and asserted "massive corruption" had drowned the metropolis. 

Streets, housing societies, railway tracks, underground metro line stations and hospitals have got waterlogged, for which Mumbaikars will not forgive this "corrupt gang", he said.

“All agencies, including BMC, Army, and Navy, are on alert to work in coordination. The CM and the Disaster Management Minister are reviewing the situation. It is the government's duty to ensure that everything operates smoothly,” said Eknath Shinde.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday criticised the BJP-led administration of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for failing to address waterlogging in the city, as several areas came to a standstill following heavy rainfall.

Taking to social media platform X, Thackeray wrote, "The absolute apathy of the BJP government that controls the BMC for the past 3 years has led to Mumbai come to a standstill today."

"Our aim is- no casualties. We are on alert mode," says Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde during his visit to the Disaster Management department as 'Red' alert for heavy rains is issued for Mumbai

The southwest monsoon made its onset over Mumbai on Monday, more than a fortnight before its normal date, with IMD officials saying it is the earliest arrival of rains in the country's financial capital in 75 years.

"Southwest monsoon made its onset over Mumbai on May 26. This is the earliest onset in the last 75 years," India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Sushma Nair said.

Metro services on some routes were temporarily halted, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation said in a post on X Monday.

Services on Metro Line 3 were curtailed, the metro operator said citing ‘technical issues’, with trains operating only up to Worli Station instead of Acharya Atre Chowk.

“Due to an unforeseen technical issue, train services on Metro Line-3 are temporarily curtailed and will operate only up to Worli Station instead of Acharya Atre Chowk . We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused,” it said. Read more

Amid heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Maharashtra's Water Resources and Disaster Management Minister, Girish Mahajan, visited the Disaster Management Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

IndiGo said, “Heavy showers in #Mumbai are impacting flight operations. Stay updated on flight status. Please allow extra time to reach the airport due to possible waterlogging en route.”

“Today, we had to shut train traffic on the Wadala Road-CSMT line on Harbour Line at 1035 hours as flood gates were closed due to high tide. Soon after, the local train services were restored, and train services on the Harbour Line are operating at restricted speed. As soon as water pumping services at MCGM high-capacity water pumping stations begin, we will be able to normalise train services. No untoward incident reported under Central Railway so far. I appeal to the commuters not to use the railway tracks to cross,” Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Dr. Swapnil D Nila, states.

Colaba – 105.2 mm, Santacruz – 55.0 mm, Bandra – 68.5 mm, Juhu Airport – 63.5 mm, Tata Power Chembur – 38.5 mm, Vikhroli – 37.5 mm, Mahalaxmi – 33.5 mm, and Sion – 53.5 mm, reported ANI.

Heavy rainfall caused flooding on the tracks at several Central Railway stations in Mumbai, including Masjid, Byculla, Dadar, Matunga, and Badlapur, leading to slower train movement during Monday morning’s rush hour.

"The movement of suburban locals is on, but with reduced speed at few locations," Chief public relations officer of the Central Railway, Swapnil Nila, said.

Heavy rains on Monday morning led to the suspension of suburban train services between Vadala Road and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on the Central Railway’s Harbour line starting from 10:25 am.

According to Central Railway officials, train operations on the Harbour line were disrupted due to waterlogging on the tracks at Masjid station.

While services on the main line’s slow corridor continued to run normally, the fast corridor experienced several signal and track change point failures, CR Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila said.

Mumbai residents appreciated efforts of police in helping citizens amid heavy rainfall.

In the western suburbs, Supari Tank and Nariyalwadi Santacruz recorded the highest rainfall of 25 mm, followed by Khar Danda Pali Hill with 24 mm. The HE Ward Office logged 18 mm, the HW Ward Office 16 mm, while Vile Parle and Andheri Fire Stations recorded 15 mm and 14 mm, respectively. Chakal Municipal School and Malvani Fire Station measured 14 mm and 12 mm, with Versova Pumping Station receiving 11 mm, reported ANI.

In the eastern suburbs, Collector Colony in Chembur recorded 13 mm of rainfall, with Chembur Fire Station and MW Ward Office receiving 9 mm each. In central Mumbai, Britania SWD and Sewri Koliwada logged 12 mm, while Gokhale Road Municipal School recorded 11 mm, the report added.

Heavy rainfall drenches parts of the city, causing waterlogging in the Andheri Subway following intense showers.

Severe waterlogging reported on Parel roads following heavy downpour in parts of the city.

Heavy rain in Navi Mumbai forces commuters to struggle through waterlogged roads.

The local trains in Mumbai experienced delays, while both traffic and flight services were interrupted due to heavy rainfall that lashed the capital of Maharashtra on Monday. Significant waterlogging occurred in various low-lying regions of Mumbai and on railway tracks.

According to BMC data, several areas in Mumbai recorded significant rainfall. In the western suburbs, Supari Tank and Nariyalwadi Santacruz received the highest rainfall at 25 mm, followed by Khar Danda Pali Hill with 24 mm. HE Ward Office logged 18 mm, HW Ward Office 16 mm, while Vile Parle and Andheri Fire Stations recorded 15 mm and 14 mm, respectively. Chakal Municipal School and Malvani Fire Station measured 14 mm and 12 mm, with Versova Pumping Station at 11 mm.