MUMBAI – India’s financial centre, is facing its third straight day of heavy rainfall, leaving the city struggling as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) released a red alert for intense rain over Mumbai and nearby regions.
The rainfall, which picked up late on Saturday, August 16, has flooded large areas, disrupted public transport and taken lives, driving civic authorities and the state government to take urgent steps. As the city deals with one of its toughest rain events in years, officials are pushing for quick solutions while locals brace for more rain ahead.
The IMD’s red alert, valid until Tuesday morning, highlights the seriousness of the situation, with forecasts expecting intense to very heavy showers across many areas and sporadic but fierce downpours in others. In just 48 hours, certain parts of Mumbai have seen astonishing rain totals, with Vikhroli recording 257.5 mm and Santacruz at 244.7 mm from August 15 to 16.
Other places like Chembur (131.5 mm), Juhu (219.5 mm) and Bandra (184 mm) have seen significant flooding as well. Rain gauges at Colaba and Santacruz have both crossed the 1,000 mm mark for the season.
Neighbourhoods known for flooding, such as Andheri Subway, Lokhandwala Complex, Sion Circle, Dadar TT and Hindmata, are among the hardest hit. Commuters have battled knee-deep water, with cars and buses stalled on inundated streets. The Western Express Highway by Vile Parle faced long traffic delays, and train tracks at Dadar, Kurla, Sion, and Bandra were underwater, causing average local train delays of 10 to 20 minutes.
The weather has led to tragic stories. A landslide in Vikhroli’s Jankalyan Society on August 16 killed two people and injured two more. Across Maharashtra, seven deaths have been linked to rain-related issues. In Nanded, some 600 km away, a cloudburst left five missing and stranded 225 people in Ravangaon’s floodwater. Severe damage has also been recorded in Jalgaon, where the Amba and Jagbudi rivers are over warning levels.
Responding to the Emergency
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state have moved quickly to address the situation. The BMC closed all schools and colleges on August 19 and extended this into Tuesday to keep students and staff safe.
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has ordered civic staff to stay on duty around the clock, with pumping stations at full power, and clearing water from flooded areas. Technical problems, though, hit key pumping stations at ONGC Yellow Gate and Mahalaxmi, worsening the situation and pointing to ongoing gaps in monsoon planning.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is tracking events closely, organizing a virtual meeting from the Mantralaya control room to coordinate relief across Maharashtra. He confirmed that 15 districts are under red or orange alerts until August 21. Local administrations have been told to keep watch and work together, especially in flood-prone zones. In Nanded, the army has stepped in to help with evacuations in Mukhed taluka.
The BMC put disaster relief teams in place and set up emergency helpline numbers (100, 112, and 1916) for anyone needing help. Traffic warnings have gone out, and Mumbai Police are asking people to avoid non-essential journeys and stay away from the sea at places like Marine Drive, Juhu and Worli Sea Face during high tide.
The IMD is also telling fishermen to keep off the water until at least August 19 because of high winds and choppy seas, with gusts up to 40 km/h.
Mumbai Infrastructure Problems and Public Anger
Heavier rain has once again highlighted Mumbai’s major infrastructure problems. Social media has exploded with complaints, with many criticizing the BMC’s bad drainage systems and a lack of preparation for the monsoon.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri spoke out on X [formerly Twitter], blaming “pathetic urbanization” for the flooding in rich areas like Peddar Road and Nepean Sea Road. Other posts noted that even homes worth crores in South Mumbai, including in Prabhadevi, were left underwater.
Residents’ anger grew after a retaining wall fell in Chembur’s New Ashok Nagar on August 17, damaging seven homes. Water also seeped into the in-progress Acharya Atre Chowk station on Metro Line 3.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accused those in charge at the BMC of mishandling civic money and ignoring infrastructure needs. He questioned the appearance of new flooding spots in South and Central Mumbai this year.
With forecasts pointing to steady rain through August 21, Mumbai stays on alert. A fresh orange alert is set for August 19, moving to yellow on August 20. While the city’s lake reservoirs, essential for drinking water, are now 90 percent full, offering one bright spot, the risk of localized floods remains high. Tides, such as the 4.75 metre surge on August 18, have also added to the danger.
Experts blame changing weather for the unpredictable monsoon, saying Mumbai now experiences harsher and less regular rain. The city’s risk is made worse by its low elevation and the loss of green barriers like mangroves due to expanding construction.
As Mumbai copes with this harsh monsoon, the attention has shifted towards building better defences and improving emergency responses. Residents are urged to stay inside, follow updates from officials and work together with authorities. For now, Mumbai faces another spell of relentless rain, hoping for better weather and a return to normal daily life soon.
