IMD Issues Red Alert, Local Trains Disrupted, University Exams Postponed
Mumbai witnessed chaos on August 20 as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert warning for very heavy rainfall. The city, already battered by five consecutive days of downpour, faced waterlogging, flooding, and major disruptions in daily life.
More than 782 passengers were rescued on Tuesday evening after two overcrowded Monorail trains got stuck between stations. The incident caused panic among commuters as electricity and air-conditioning shut down, leaving some passengers fainting due to suffocation. Thankfully, only one passenger required hospitalization and was reported stable.
The downpour, which recorded over 200 mm of rain in just 11 hours, flooded streets in Kurla, Andheri, Sion, and Dadar. The Mithi River swelled to 3.9 metres, dangerously close to its 4-metre danger mark, forcing evacuations in low-lying slum areas like Kurla’s Kranti Nagar. More than 400 residents were shifted to safer shelters with the help of NDRF and civic teams.
Local train services on the Central Railway’s harbour line were suspended for over 15 hours before being restored at 3 am on Wednesday. Western and Central Railway services were delayed, while several long-distance trains, including the Ahmedabad–Pune Duronto, were diverted. Flight operations were also hit, with eight flights diverted and multiple delays reported at Mumbai Airport.
Adding to the disruptions, the University of Mumbai postponed all examinations scheduled for August 20, prioritising student safety amid transport breakdowns. Revised dates will be announced soon.
The IMD has predicted that while heavy rains will continue in Mumbai, the intensity is likely to reduce from Thursday. However, Raigad district remains on red alert, while Thane, Palghar, and Ratnagiri are under orange alert. Meanwhile, other regions of Maharashtra, including Konkan, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra, also witnessed heavy rainfall, leading to 24 rain-related deaths across the state.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as Mumbai and its surrounding districts brace for further challenges caused by relentless monsoon rains.
