Holiday declared for first session of schools, suburban train services hit amid heavy rains in Mumbai

Besides Mumbai, the Mumbai metropolitan region districts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad and the south Konkan twin districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg too received heavy rainfall.

Mumbai: Normal life in Mumbai and the larger Mumbai metropolitan  region (MMR) was badly affected as heavy overnight rains hit the financial capital of India on Monday leading to massive inundation at several low-lying areas. 

The suburban train services of Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), considered the lifeline of Mumbai, were affected because of the heavy downpour. 

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deployed pumps at several places to pump out the flood waters. 

“Mumbai has recorded over 300 mm rainfall at various places in a six-hour period from 1 am to 7 am today. Heavy rains in some low-lying areas led to water-logging and disruption of suburban train services,” BMC officials said. 

The Regional Meteorological Centre of Mumbai has forecast heavy rains for the day as well. 

A holiday has been declared for  government and private schools and colleges for the first session of the day, the BMC announced. 

The civic body has asked people to step out of the house only if it is necessary in view of the weather.

Several pockets of Mumbai-MMR received 250 to 300 plus mm rainfall during the six to seven hours past midnight.

For a 22-hour period from 8 am Sunday (July 7, 2024) to 6 am Monday (July 8, 2024), Mumbai city recorded an average 110.10 mm rainfall, while the eastern and western suburbs got 150.53 mm rainfall and 146.35 mm, respectively. 

The WR suburban trains were delayed by over 10 minutes because of heavy waterlogging between Matunga Road and Dadar stations. 

"High capacity water pumps are being utilised to drain water away from the railway tracks to ensure a smooth commute for Mumbaikars,” WR officials said. 

On CR’s Main-line, services between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Thane got hit leading to a massive disruption. 

In Bhandup, water could be seen touching the platforms. “Due to heavy rains and water logging between Bhandup and Nahur, trains are being run by clamping and padlocking the points, " the CR said. 

Several trains between Mumbai and Pune were cancelled for the day In light of the emerging situation. 

The western suburbs of Vasai-Virar in Palghar district and Kalyan-Dombivli in the Thane district too received heavy rainfall.

The Panvel tehsil of Raigad district has been experiencing heavy rains.

The twin South Konkan districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg too received heavy rainfall leading to overflowing of several rivers and the submergence of culverts and bridges. 

In Mumbai, at several places, two-wheelers and four-wheelers could be seen stranded because of breakdowns.

There are no reports of disruptions at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. 

“Heavy traffic congestion and slow vehicle movement are expected enroute to Mumbai airport today due to weather conditions. Customers are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport,” Vistara said in an announcement.

Over Sunday, more than 200 persons were rescued to safety from floodwaters in the Thane-Palghar belt. 

According to KS Hosalikar, Head-IMD Pune, heavy convection has been observed on the west coast; north of Mumbai, South Konkan, Goa to Kerala coast. 

“Mumbai Radar animation of the last few hours indicated movement of a very intense cloud patch over the city,” he said.