Heavy rain in Mumbai has paralysed India’s financial capital, disrupting the lives of millions of people, submerging roads and leading to widespread flight and train cancellations.
Many parts of the city remain under waist-deep water, with videos showing residents swimming through waterlogged streets as garbage gushed from clogged sewers.
Authorities said nearly 600 people were rescued on Tuesday after being stranded on an overcrowded monorail that stopped mid-journey. At least 23 of them required treatment for suffocation, according to civic officials.
Most schools and colleges remain closed, while some 350 people from low-lying areas have been evacuated to temporary shelters.
India’s weather department has issued a red alert for heavy rain in Mumbai and neighbouring districts, forecasting more downpours on Wednesday, though conditions are expected to improve later in the week.
Monsoon rains are common in Maharashtra state at this time of year, but this season has been particularly severe. In just four days, Mumbai recorded 800mm of rainfall, far exceeding the city’s average for August.
At least 21 people have died in the last four days in rain-related incidents across the state. Mumbai’s suburban trains- a vital lifeline for millions of commuters- have suffered severe disruptions, with thousands stranded on platforms as services were delayed for hours.
“Trains scheduled for last night have left this morning and those supposed to leave this morning have been delayed to later,” one passenger told ANI news agency.
Flight operations at Mumbai’s international airport have also been hit, with around 50 flights cancelled in recent days. Budget carrier IndiGo warned of continued disruption: “While we want your journey to be as hassle-free as possible, Mother Nature has her own plans. With heavy rains expected again in Mumbai, there’s a chance this could lead to air traffic congestion and impact flight operations.”
Chaos also erupted when an overcrowded monorail halted mid-track. A passenger told BBC Marathi that with the air-conditioning switched off, people tried to force open the doors to call for help. Firefighters and police used cranes to bring stranded passengers down from the elevated track. Preliminary investigations suggest the incident was caused by overcrowding.
Opposition lawmakers have accused the government of being unprepared. Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) said several parts of Mumbai were witnessing an “absolute collapse of governance,” alleging “zero planning” despite red alerts. He noted that the airport itself was flooded and that new water-logging spots had emerged near recently built infrastructure.
Citizens also took to social media to criticise collapsing infrastructure and inadequate planning.
Home to over 12 million residents, Mumbai attracts millions more migrants every year seeking better opportunities. While the city has seen major infrastructure upgrades- including sea bridges, coastal roads, and metro lines- experts warn that drainage systems and climate-resilient infrastructure have not kept pace with the rapid growth.
Source: BBC
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