Mumbai schools, colleges closed amid heavy rains; roads waterlogged, trains delayed as red alert in effect

Mumbai’s relentless monsoon forced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to declare a holiday for all schools and colleges on Monday. Afternoon-shift institutions remained closed, while several morning schools released students early after heavy downpours triggered widespread waterlogging.

In central Mumbai, a school bus with six children and two staff members was stranded in waist-deep water at Matunga for over half an hour. Police teams rushed in to rescue them, later keeping the children safe at the police station until parents arrived.

IMD issues red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a “red alert” for Mumbai and adjoining Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Palghar districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places through Tuesday. Sindhudurg has been placed on orange alert.


“The low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, along with a cyclonic circulation, is driving heavy rain along Maharashtra’s coast. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea,” said Shubhangi Bhute, head of IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai.

City slows under waterlogging, traffic snarls

The downpour inundated low-lying pockets such as Andheri Subway and Lokhandwala Complex, choking traffic and reducing visibility for motorists. Local trains ran late by up to 10 minutes, while Central Railway’s Harbour Line reported delays due to water on the tracks and technical snags near Kurla–Tilak Nagar.

At Mumbai airport, nine flights performed “go-arounds” before landing, and one was diverted to Surat till noon. BEST bus services ran without diversions despite heavy waterlogging.

BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani urged citizens to step out only if necessary and keep the disaster helpline 1916 handy. Mumbai Police echoed the call on social media, reminding people to plan travel carefully and dial 100/112/103 for emergencies.

Rainfall figures and week-long forecast

According to BMC’s monitoring stations, rainfall intensity spiked sharply on Monday morning.

Between 9 am and 10 am, Chembur recorded 65 mm rain, Shivaji Nagar 50 mm, while the island city received an average of 37 mm. Several locations in eastern and western suburbs crossed 100 mm in 24 hours.

IMD’s extended forecast suggests unsettled weather will continue across the week:

• Monday: 47.6 mm; temperature 25.2–26°C
  
• Tuesday: 119.6 mm; winds up to 37.4 km/h
  
• Wednesday: 93.3 mm; winds up to 39.2 km/h
  
• Thursday: 22.8 mm rain; max temp 27.7°C
  
• Friday: Light showers, 3.8 mm; 26.3–28°C
  
• Saturday: Moderate showers, 7.1 mm expected

(With PTI inputs)