Mumbai records over 300 mm rain in 24 hours; city faces waterlogging, traffic disruption
Mumbai woke up to flooded roads and severe traffic snarls on Wednesday after heavy rainfall exceeding 300 mm in 24 hours hit the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had officially announced the arrival of the southwest monsoon on Tuesday.
The IMD issued a red nowcast warning for Mumbai and Palghar districts at 4 am on Wednesday, citing possibilities of intense spells, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. The weather bureau later downgraded it to an orange alert at 7 am and maintained a yellow alert for Mumbai until Friday morning.
On Tuesday, light rain accompanied the onset of monsoon, with the Santacruz observatory recording 8.9 mm and Colaba recording 36 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Subsequently, showers intensified, lashing southern and suburban divisions.
Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's automatic weather stations showed that many areas received over 300 mm rain between Tuesday 8 am and Wednesday 7 am. F/South ward office in the island city recorded 322 mm, Malwani in the western suburbs recorded 334 mm, followed by Powai (296 mm), Malad (289 mm), Charkop (281 mm), Dadar (277 mm), Kandivali (265 mm), and Byculla (255 mm). The Santacruz observatory recorded 225 mm, while Colaba recorded 248 mm, making it South Mumbai's wettest June day in over a decade. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall at Colaba was 478 mm on June 10, 1991.
The city, which had a rain deficit of over 300% until Tuesday morning, received nearly 43% of its average June rainfall quota of 526 mm in a single day.
Waterlogging was reported in low-lying areas, including Andheri subway, Hindmata junction, Dadar, Gandhi Market, and Malad subway, bringing traffic to a standstill. The civic administration deployed dewatering pumps to clear water. Andheri subway was reopened by 5.30 am. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation stated that its disaster management cell is monitoring low-lying areas, railway stations, roads, bridges, and coastal areas.
Heavy showers disrupted Trans-harbour line services for nearly an hour due to a cave-in beneath the tracks between Turbhe and Koparkhairane, stranding commuters during peak travel time. Rain receded later, with light drizzle continuing through the day. The Santacruz observatory recorded only 7.5 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, while Colaba recorded 14.8 mm.
