Incessant heavy rainfall on Monday, August 18, brought Mumbai to a standstill, with severe waterlogging crippling road traffic, disrupting train services, and forcing civic authorities to shut down schools in the afternoon shift.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an advisory early in the day, declaring a holiday for afternoon schools and urging residents to step out only if absolutely necessary.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed the city under an orange alert, predicting more heavy downpours in the next 24 hours. Suburban areas including Andheri, Kurla, Dadar, and Vile Parle were among the worst-hit, with knee-deep water reported in several low-lying pockets.
Vehicular movement slowed to a crawl on key arterial roads, including the Western Express Highway and Eastern Freeway. Long jams were reported near Vile Parle, Bandra, and Dahisar, where stranded motorists struggled through flooded stretches. The Mumbai Traffic Police warned commuters of diversions and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.
Mumbai’s lifeline—the suburban railway network—was hit by delays of 15–20 minutes as water levels rose on tracks in several sections. BEST buses, too, were rerouted after waterlogging at Sion Circle, King’s Circle, and Chembur. Passengers reported overcrowding at stations and bus depots as services slowed down.
Residents across the city faced power fluctuations, with several housing societies switching to generators. Social media was flooded with visuals of submerged cars, commuters wading through waist-deep water, and overflowing drains. Airlines also issued advisories, asking passengers to leave early for the airport in view of traffic snarls.
With the IMD warning of more heavy rain, disaster management teams are on standby. The BMC has activated emergency control rooms, while pumping stations across the city are working round-the-clock to drain flooded stretches.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain alert and avoid venturing into waterlogged areas, as Mumbai braces for yet another night of pounding rain.
