Mumbai Rains Cause Waterlogging and Traffic Chaos; IMD Issues Yellow Alert for City and Surrounding Areas

Mumbai, July 21 – A fresh spell of heavy rain lashed Mumbai on Monday, flooding streets, halting vehicular movement, and renewing concerns about the city’s monsoon preparedness. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Mumbai and its neighboring districts, forecasting moderate rainfall with overcast skies over the next 48 hours.

 

Morning Commute Hit Hard by Waterlogging

The downpour that began early in the morning resulted in water accumulation in several key locations. Areas such as Andheri, Marine Drive, Vile Parle, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) were among the worst affected. Videos and images circulating on social media showed commuters wading through knee-deep water, buses delayed, and autos stranded amid rising water levels.

“Roads in Andheri East are completely waterlogged. I missed my office shuttle and had to walk 2 km in the rain,” said Ramesh Kadam, a bank employee.

Despite the intensity, no major disruptions to local train services were reported until late afternoon. However, road traffic suffered significantly, especially in low-lying areas.
 

IMD Forecast: More Rain, Humidity to Persist

According to the India Meteorological Department, while no red or orange alerts have been issued for Mumbai city itself, nearby districts like Thane are under a yellow alert, indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall in isolated areas.

“Skies will remain mostly cloudy, and intermittent rain is expected throughout the day,” said an IMD official. “Humidity will remain high, and conditions may feel slightly cooler, but sticky weather will persist.”

The IMD has also advised people to avoid waterlogged areas and to remain indoors during intense spells of rain to ensure safety.
 

No Direct Weather Warnings for Some Areas

Interestingly, Kurla, Bandra, Borivali, and South Mumbai were not included in the areas under a direct weather warning. However, these areas are known to be flood-prone, and civic officials have been instructed to remain on alert in case conditions worsen.

A senior official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that additional pumps and disaster management staff have been deployed in chronic flooding zones, and “all stormwater drains are being monitored in real-time.”

Impact Beyond Mumbai: Delhi and Uttarakhand Also Affected

The weather disturbance isn’t limited to Mumbai. In Delhi, the day began with overcast skies and high humidity levels. The IMD predicted scattered rainfall later in the day. The minimum temperature was recorded at 27.2°C, and humidity stood at 83% as of 8:30 AM.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand has been placed under an orange alert, particularly for districts like Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, and Tehri. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds in these regions.

In response, the Dehradun district administration declared a holiday for all schools and Anganwadi centres on Monday as a safety precaution.
 

Civic Response and Precautionary Measures
 

In Mumbai, the disaster management team, along with the Mumbai Fire Brigade and local ward officers, are working in coordination to manage the situation. Real-time updates are being issued through public communication channels like Twitter, radio, and mobile alerts.

A senior BMC official stated, “We’re focusing on preventing traffic snarls and ensuring quick drainage. All pumps are operational, and emergency teams are on standby.”

Motorists are being advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially through Sion, Andheri Subway, Hindmata, and Milan Subway, which typically see severe flooding during monsoon.
 

Conclusion
 

While Mumbai is no stranger to heavy monsoon downpours, Monday’s rainfall once again highlighted the city’s fragile drainage systems and the urgent need for long-term flood mitigation planning. As more rains are expected in the next two days, authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories.