Mumbai Under Siege: Rain-Induced Flooding Sparks Red Alert, Airports and Trains Hit

Mumbai is under a red alert following four days of relentless monsoon rains that have crippled travel, halted schools, and sparked flooding across the city and neighbouring districts.

The IMD issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and surrounding regions, with wind gusts reaching 40–65 km/h. In Mumbai alone, Chincholi recorded an astonishing 361 mm of rain in 24 hours — the highest in August since 2020.

Authorities closed schools, colleges, and government offices, advising private firms to implement WFH.

Transport suffered as roads flooded, traffic stalled, and local trains delayed or suspended—though the railways pledged to keep services running amid chaos.

At Mumbai airport, operations were severely disrupted — 11 go-arounds and five flight diversions were logged on August 19, with airlines issuing advisories to passengers.

Beyond city limits, Maharashtra recorded six deaths and six missing across 15 districts. Nanded was hardest hit after a cloudburst stranded nearly 300 villagers and prompted ongoing rescue operations by the NDRF, SDRF and army. Mumbai reported two fatalities from rain-related incidents; one in Malabar Hill due to a wall collapse, another at BKC due to drowning

Meteorological Severity

♦ Red alert for extremely heavy rain and gusty winds (40–65 km/h) across Mumbai and surrounding areas.

♦ Record downpours: Chincholi (361 mm), with other zones averaging 200 mm+ through the day.

Human Impact & Infrastructure

♦ Schools, colleges, and government offices shut; private offices urged to adopt WFH.

♦ Waterlogged roads, subways, and suburban train disruptions.

♦ Air travel hit with dozens of flight delays and diversions.

Statewide Toll

♦ Maharashtra tally: six dead, six missing across 15 districts.

♦ Nanded’s cloudburst left hundreds stranded; rescue efforts underway.

♦ In Mumbai: wall collapse and drowning claimed lives; more widespread hazards remain.