Heavy Mumbai rains disrupt transport, force school closures; subways underwater: Key updates

Mumbai witnessed widespread disruption today as relentless rainfall caused severe waterlogging, halting public transport, and affecting daily life. The downpour flooded roads, submerged subways, and led to delays in train and flight services across the financial capital.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’ for Mumbai and Maharashtra, warning residents to prepare for continuous heavy rain until 8:30 a.m. on September 26. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a closure of schools and colleges in Mumbai and its suburbs. Additionally, the IMD issued an ‘orange alert’ for certain districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Affected areas include Thane, Raigad, Pune, Dhule, and Nandurbar, according to the regional meteorological centre.

The weather office also cautioned against potential heavy rainfall in Madhya Maharashtra, as well as the Gujarat region, Konkan, and Goa, predicting that the downpour would persist until Friday.

Here’s a summary of the latest developments from the heavy rains across Mumbai and Maharashtra:

Flight diversions and delays:

Several flights scheduled to land at Mumbai Airport were diverted due to the extreme weather conditions. According to a Hindustan Times report, 14 incoming flights were redirected on Wednesday afternoon as rain intensified. Nine IndiGo flights were unable to land, while the remaining diversions involved two Vistara flights, and one each from Air India, Akasa, and Gulf Air. Seven flights were rerouted to Hyderabad, four to Ahmedabad, two to Mopa Airport in Goa, and one to Udaipur.

As the city faced significant waterlogging and traffic issues, SpiceJet, via a post on X (formerly Twitter), alerted passengers about potential delays. “Due to bad weather (heavy rain) in Mumbai (BOM), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status,” the airline warned. Similar advisories were issued by Air India, Vistara, Akasa, and IndiGo, cautioning travelers about possible delays.

Local trains resume with limited speed:

Despite the heavy rains, local train services along the Harbour line resumed after water levels receded, easing concerns of prolonged suspension. According to an ANI report, the Central Railway issued a statement saying, “Harbour line local trains have resumed after the water receded between Govandi-Mankhurd. Trains are running with caution and a restricted speed of 25kmph. Services resumed at 11.23 pm,” according to a Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO). However, passengers were advised to expect some delays even as services gradually normalized.

Bus services continue but several routes diverted:

While bus services in Mumbai remain operational, several routes have been altered due to heavy waterlogging across parts of the city. The IMD expects the city to experience more heavy rain throughout the day. On Wednesday, rainfall reached up to 200mm in some locations, causing major traffic disruptions. The BMC has urged citizens to exercise caution while commuting, though several Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus routes have been diverted for safety reasons.?

?Key route diversions include:

Shell Colony (routes 360, 355, 357) diverted via Chembur NakaKurla Nehru Nagar (routes 501, 369, 362, 361) diverted via S.G. Barve MargSainath Subway, Malad (routes 345, 460) diverted via S.V. RoadGol Mandir, Bhendi Bazaar (route 42) diverted via J.J. RoadSheetal Cinema (routes 320, 365, 326) suspended after 9 p.m.Shivaji Nagar (routes 357, 19, 375, 404, 350) services suspended Dadar TT Tilak Road (routes 171, 67, 169, 172) diverted via Ruia JunctionDadar TT Tilak Road Extension (routes 63, 151, 174, 201, 521) diverted via Sharda Cinema

Three-hour traffic jam due to landslide:

A landslide occurred at the Mumbra bypass at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, causing a three-hour traffic jam. According to fire officer Swapnil Sarnobat, no casualties were reported. JCB machines were used to clear the debris, allowing traffic to resume towards Thane.

Schools closed due to heavy rainfall:

Amid the ongoing torrential downpour, the BMC has declared a public holiday for all schools and colleges across Mumbai and its suburbs today. School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, who also serves as the guardian minister for Mumbai, confirmed the closure. Similarly, Pune’s District Collector, Suhas Diwase, declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad after an ‘orange alert’ was issued by the IMD. Thane and Palghar district administrations followed suit, closing both public and private educational institutions.

Tragic incident in Andheri:

A 45-year-old woman tragically drowned in an open drain in Andheri on Wednesday as the rains caused significant flooding across the city. Despite efforts from the Mumbai fire brigade, she was found dead. According to BMC officials, she was taken to Cooper Hospital, where she was declared dead upon arrival.

Rainfall impacts across other regions in India:

The heavy rains have not been limited to Maharashtra. The IMD has reported disruptions in other states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttarakhand. Chennai experienced power outages and severe waterlogging in areas like Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam, which saw over 7 cm of rainfall. Telangana is also under alert for heavy rain, particularly in the northern districts. Uttarakhand has faced frequent landslides, particularly along the Badrinath National Highway, causing travel disruptions, as authorities continue to manage road blockages.

Prime Minister's visit to Pune cancelled:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Pune today has been cancelled due to the heavy rainfall. Pune experienced 131 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, the highest September rainfall in 86 years, making it unsafe for travel.

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