Maharashtra Battles Heavy Rains for Fifth Day: Mumbai Faces Severe Flooding

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is grappling with severe flooding as heavy rains continue to lash Maharashtra for the fifth consecutive day. The relentless downpour has caused widespread disruption, with the Mithi river overflowing, submerging densely populated areas like Kurla and Saki Nagar. The heavy rainfall, measuring 20 centimeters in just 11 hours, has led to waterlogging in tunnels, severely affecting vehicular traffic and stranding commuters across the city.

Monorail Breakdowns Cause Chaos

Amid the chaos, two monorail trains in Mumbai broke down due to the heavy rains, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. A monorail running between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park railway stations malfunctioned, trapping 582 passengers. Rescue operations, which lasted approximately three hours, were launched to safely evacuate all passengers. Authorities revealed that the monorail was overloaded, carrying 109 metric tons of passengers against its capacity of 104 metric tons, leading to a technical glitch that disrupted the power supply.

In a separate incident, another monorail operating between Acharya Atre and Wadala railway stations also broke down, affecting 200 passengers. Rescue teams successfully evacuated the passengers and towed the monorail to Wadala station. These incidents have raised concerns about the city’s infrastructure resilience during extreme weather conditions.

Widespread Flooding and Evacuations

The overflowing Mithi river has inundated several low-lying areas, including those near Mumbai airport and railway tracks, causing significant disruptions to air and rail travel. A total of 24 flights were canceled, and 11 others were diverted to nearby airports. In the Kranti Nagar area, approximately 400 residents were evacuated to safer locations as floodwaters engulfed homes and streets. Videos circulating on social media showed children swimming in floodwaters near a shopping mall, while vehicles were seen floating on waterlogged roads.

Government Response and Red Alert

The Maharashtra government has reported 21 fatalities over the past five days due to rain-related incidents across the state. In response to the worsening situation, a red alert has been issued for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Palghar districts, warning of very heavy rainfall on August 20, 2025. The government has intensified rescue and relief operations, deploying teams to assist affected residents and restore normalcy.

The continuous heavy rainfall has put immense pressure on Mumbai’s drainage systems, which have struggled to cope with the volume of water. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as the city braces for more rain in the coming hours.

Impact on Daily Life

The heavy rains have brought daily life in Mumbai to a standstill. Schools and offices in flood-affected areas have been closed, and public transport systems are operating at reduced capacity. The flooding near railway tracks has disrupted train services, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Residents in low-lying areas are facing power outages and water shortages, adding to their woes.

As Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra continue to battle the deluge, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing further damage. The government has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to address the crisis.