Mumbai Rain Live Updates: City Sees Earliest Monsoon Since 1950, Says IMD

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds lashed Mumbai on Monday morning, severely disrupting suburban train services and choking road traffic amid reduced visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the early arrival of the southwest monsoon in Maharashtra — nearly 16 days ahead of its usual schedule — marking the earliest onset in Mumbai since 1950.

Rainfall began late Sunday night and continued into Monday, flooding several low-lying areas. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall over the next 24 hours.

Key Developments:

Monsoon Arrives Early

Time: 6:10 PM IST

The IMD officially declared the onset of the monsoon in Mumbai on Monday, noting its earliest arrival since 1950. The monsoon typically arrives around June 11, but this year it hit the city on May 26, 16 days ahead of schedule.

Record Rainfall in 13 Hours

Time: 5:43 PM IST

South Mumbai recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall at several locations between Sunday night and Monday morning. Key figures include:

Nariman Point Fire Station: 252.2 mm

Ward Municipal Office: 215.6 mm

Colaba Pumping Station: 207.25 mm

Colaba Fire Station: 202.94 mm

Grant Road Eye Hospital: 202.6 mm

This deluge resulted in heavy waterlogging and paralyzed daily life across the city.

Train Services Disrupted

Time: 5:16 PM IST

Mumbai’s suburban train network took a hit, with over 50 services affected. Around 20 trains were short-terminated at Dadar and Parel on the main line, and 30 services were cancelled on the harbour line due to flooding. Eight long-distance trains were delayed for nearly two hours.

Despite efforts to restore normalcy, services continued at reduced speed as of Monday evening.

Thane Hit Hard

Time: 8:42 PM IST

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reviewed the rain situation in Thane, which recorded 135 mm of rainfall in a single day. Shinde acknowledged that the unprecedented rainfall in a short span caused widespread flooding across Mumbai and its suburbs.

Rescue Operation in Kharghar

Time: 6:54 PM IST

Five young men from Sion Koliwada were rescued by fire personnel after getting stranded on the Kharghar Hills during a hike. The group was caught off-guard when a waterfall's flow intensified due to the downpour. All were safely evacuated using ropes.

Metro Station Flooded, Political Row Ensues

Time: 5:12 PM IST

Aaditya Thackeray criticized the Maharashtra government over the flooding of Worli Metro station, which had been inaugurated just 15 days earlier. He accused the government of corruption and poor quality control, citing the station's damaged wall and leaking roof as evidence.

Due to the flooding, operations on Metro Line 3 were curtailed, with services temporarily ending at Worli instead of extending to Acharya Atre Chowk.

Political Fallout Over Flooding

Time: 5:08 PM IST & 2:33 PM IST

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray slammed the state administration, blaming the BMC, which is currently under state-appointed administrators, for the poor preparedness. He announced plans to visit flood-hit areas, including Hindmata, Acharya Atre Chowk, and Warden Road.

Government on Alert

Time: 3:45 PM IST

Eknath Shinde said all government agencies including BMC, the Army, and Navy were on high alert following the IMD’s red warning for the city. Disaster response teams have been deployed to manage the situation proactively.

Red Alert Issued, Citizens Advised to Stay Indoors

Time: 3:15 PM IST & 2:54 PM IST

Maharashtra’s Relief and Disaster Management Ministers, Anil Bhaidas Patil and Girish Mahajan, urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay away from coastal areas. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been stationed in Mumbai as a precaution.

Commuter Frustration Grows

Time: 1:42 PM IST

Many commuters expressed anger over delayed and cancelled trains. "The rain hasn’t been that extreme. Why are services being cancelled after just one downpour?" asked one passenger, demanding more reliable infrastructure during monsoon season.

Train Services Hit by High Tide

Time: 2:04 PM IST

Train services between Wadala Road and CSMT on the Harbour Line were halted due to high tide and floodgate closures. Services resumed slowly, with restricted speed as the city’s water pumping stations continued operating at full capacity.

Conclusion

Mumbai's early monsoon arrival brought with it a cascade of challenges, from flooded roads and stations to delayed trains and political sparring. With more rain expected, citizens are advised to remain cautious, follow weather updates, and avoid unnecessary travel.

Stay tuned to IndiaToday.in for real-time updates on the Mumbai rain situation.