Maharashtra Braces for More Rain: Widespread Chaos in Mumbai, Critical Warnings for Pune’s Hilly Areas
MUMBAI / PUNE – The state of Maharashtra is experiencing a severe monsoon onslaught, with both Mumbai and Pune districts facing significant disruptions from relentless rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “red alert” for several parts of the region, warning of extremely heavy rainfall.
Mumbai: A City Underwater
Mumbai’s normal life has been brought to a near standstill for the third consecutive day due to incessant downpours. The IMD has issued a red alert for the city and neighboring districts like Thane and Raigad, indicating the possibility of “heavy to very heavy rainfall at many places and extremely heavy showers in isolated areas.”
Transport Crippled: All schools and colleges in Mumbai were closed. The city’s suburban train services, its primary mode of transport, are running with significant delays due to submerged tracks in low-lying areas such as Kurla-Dadar and Sion. Road traffic is severely affected, with reports of major waterlogging on key routes, including the Western Express Highway and Andheri Subway.
Air Travel Advisory: Airlines like IndiGo and Akasa Air have issued advisories, urging passengers to account for extra travel time to the airport due to road congestion and waterlogging. At least nine flights at Mumbai airport performed “go-arounds” to abort landing, and one was diverted.
Forecast and Incidents: The IMD has maintained its warning for the coming days, with an orange alert in place until at least Tuesday. Reports of localized flooding have come in from various parts of the city, and authorities have deployed emergency teams to assist. The Vihar Lake, one of the city’s key water sources, has also begun overflowing.
Pune: Urban Respite, Ghats on High Alert
While Pune city itself has seen moderate rainfall, the adjacent ghat sections are under a critical “red alert.” The IMD’s warning for “extremely heavy precipitation” in these areas has raised concerns about landslides and dam overflows.
High Alert for Ghats: The hilly terrain surrounding Pune, including sections of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, is at high risk of rain-related incidents. Areas like Tamhini and Koyna Navja have already recorded extremely heavy rainfall. The significant rain is helping fill the region’s dams, with the Temghar dam reportedly at 95% of its capacity, prompting alerts for low-lying downstream areas.
City Traffic and Weather: Unlike Mumbai, the traffic within Pune city has been more manageable, although commuters on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway have been advised to drive with extreme caution due to poor visibility and potential waterlogging in the ghat sections. Authorities have urged residents in and around the ghats to avoid unnecessary travel and stay updated on local advisories.