Mumbai, August 19, 2025 – The monsoon’s relentless fury continues to batter Mumbai, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintaining its “red alert” for the city and surrounding districts. The downpour, which has been lashing the financial capital for days, has caused widespread disruption, leading to waterlogging, traffic chaos, and impacting all forms of transport.
Severe Rainfall and Waterlogging
Mumbai has recorded nearly 300 mm of rain in just the past 11 hours, bringing the metropolis to a standstill. The IMD’s red alert, its highest warning, signifies the likelihood of “extremely heavy rainfall” exceeding 204.5 mm in a 24-hour period. Areas such as Chembur, Dadar, and Worli have been particularly hard hit, with more than 150mm of rain recorded in a short span.
The incessant rain has overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, leading to severe waterlogging in several low-lying areas. Andheri Subway, a critical artery for traffic, was shut down for several hours due to being submerged. Reports of waterlogged streets have also come in from Kurla, Sion, and Gandhi Market, leading to massive traffic jams and forcing private offices to advise work-from-home.
Mithi River Crosses Danger Mark
A significant development is the rising water level of the Mithi River. The river has reportedly crossed the danger mark, prompting the evacuation of around 400-500 people from nearby low-lying areas. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in flood-prone areas.
High Tide and Monsoon Impact
A high tide, with a height of 3.75 meters, occurred at 9:16 AM today. Another high tide is expected at 8:53 PM with a height of 3.14 meters. The combination of high tide and continuous heavy rainfall poses a significant risk of increased flooding in coastal areas and has prompted a public advisory to stay away from the coastline.
Local Train and Flight Status
Mumbai’s local train network, the city’s lifeline, is experiencing significant delays. Both Central and Western Railway services are operational, but with delays of 10-15 minutes. Some routes on the Central Railway’s Harbour Line have been temporarily suspended or are running behind schedule due to waterlogging on the tracks.
Flight operations at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have also been affected. Airlines like IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet have issued travel advisories, warning passengers of potential delays and urging them to check flight status before heading to the airport. Several flights have been delayed or had to perform “go-arounds” before landing due to poor visibility.
School Holidays and Tomorrow’s Forecast
In light of the severe weather, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai for today, August 19. The BMC has also extended this closure to all government and semi-government offices and advised private companies to allow work from home to their employees.
The weather forecast for tomorrow, August 20, indicates that the heavy rains are likely to continue, with the IMD maintaining its heavy rainfall warning for Mumbai, Thane, and other parts of the Konkan region. A gradual decrease in rainfall intensity is expected from Thursday, August 21, onwards.
Situation in Pune and Other Districts
The severe weather is not limited to Mumbai. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Pune city and a red alert for the ghat areas of Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur due to the risk of landslides and dam overflows. Heavy rain has also been reported in Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts, which are also under a red alert. Authorities have warned residents in these regions to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.