Heavy Rains in Mumbai: IMD Issues Orange Alert, Waterlogging Disrupts City Life

Mumbai began the week under heavy rainfall, with overnight showers leaving large parts of the city waterlogged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, urging residents to remain cautious. The downpour disrupted road traffic, slowed suburban trains, and caused inconvenience to office-goers on Monday morning.

1. IMD Issues Weather Alerts

The IMD warned of intense to very intense rain spells along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph. An orange alert has been sounded for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Pune, while Beed and Latur are also on high alert. Yellow alerts have been issued for Nagpur, Jalna, Nashik, and Palghar, indicating the possibility of lighter rainfall.

2. Civic Advisory for Residents

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) posted an advisory on X (formerly Twitter), asking residents to remain alert and dial 1916 for official updates and emergency assistance. The civic body has deployed pumps in low-lying areas to drain out water and stationed disaster management teams across the city.

3. Waterlogging in Low-Lying Areas

Areas like King’s Circle and Matunga Market were severely affected by flooding. Commuters waded through knee-deep water, while vehicles moved at a snail’s pace. Potholes filled with rainwater added to the woes of motorists. Several other parts of suburban Mumbai reported similar conditions.

4. Disruption to Train Services

Mumbai’s suburban railways, considered the lifeline of the city, were hit by delays. Central Railway services slowed down due to water on the tracks at Kurla, while Western Railway reported similar issues at Bandra. Railway officials assured that teams were working to clear the water and restore normalcy.

5. Rainfall Records Across Mumbai

Between 8:30 AM on Sunday and 5:30 AM on Monday, Colaba recorded the highest rainfall at 88.2 mm, followed by Bandra at 82 mm and Byculla at 73 mm. Mahul Tata Power Station logged 70.5 mm, Juhu received 45 mm, while Santacruz and Mahalaxmi recorded lighter showers of 36.6 mm and 36.5 mm respectively.

6. Traffic Diversions in Place

The Andheri Subway in Andheri West was closed after nearly one-and-a-half feet of water accumulated on the road. Mumbai Traffic Police diverted vehicles through Gokhale Bridge and urged motorists to avoid waterlogged areas. Officials said diversions may continue until water recedes.

7. Orange and Yellow Alerts Explained

The IMD’s orange alert signals preparedness for heavy to very heavy rainfall and potential disruption to normal life. Meanwhile, the yellow alert indicates light to moderate rain that requires caution but not emergency measures. Authorities have asked residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors if possible.

8. Forecast for the Coming Days

While Monday started with heavy downpours, the IMD has predicted moderate showers between September 16 and 18 without any severe alerts. However, sudden bursts of rain and thunderstorms remain possible in and around Mumbai.

9. Impact on Daily Life

The rain brought traffic snarls across arterial routes, office delays, and slower public transport. Many commuters reported being stranded in buses or waiting for trains due to waterlogging on tracks. Online, residents shared photos and videos of flooded streets, warning others to avoid affected areas.

10. Authorities Urge Caution

Officials from the BMC and state disaster management have appealed to citizens not to panic but remain alert. Continuous monitoring is underway, with rescue teams on standby in case of worsening conditions. Authorities have reminded people to avoid open drains, flooded roads, and coastal areas during heavy spells.

Conclusion

Mumbai’s tryst with monsoon chaos continued as heavy rains lashed the city, disrupting life and movement. With IMD’s orange and yellow alerts in place, authorities remain vigilant while urging citizens to take safety precautions. The coming days may bring moderate showers, but residents are advised to stay prepared for sudden heavy spells that could again test the city’s resilience.