Monsoon paralyses Mumbai, India sparking red alert as city battles severe flooding

Mumbai Under Water

Heavy overnight rainfall caused severe flooding across major low-lying areas in and around Mumbai, hitting road and transport networks.

Footage captured on Thursday shows Mumbai’s streets submerged, pedestrians attempting to wade through the waters and locals using buckets to bail out their homes.

Public transit has experienced significant disruptions, with flooded railway tracks at Dadar station causing widespread delays for trains. At least four fatalities have been attributed to the extreme weather, caused by electrocution, building collapses and open manholes.

Residents Share Frustration

Local authorities have closed schools in high-risk zones and strongly advise residents to avoid non-essential travel.

“It has been raining constantly for the past five days. I’ve been in Mumbai since 2008, and conditions remain the same; even five minutes of rain halts all movement,” street vendor Ajay Kumar said.

“The gutters are clogged and damaged. Water doesn’t pass from one side to the other due to faulty infrastructure. Consequently, the water accumulates rapidly,” Kumar added.

Flooding Hits Homes

“The water problem here is serious. There’s a need for a larger drainage system. Though work is underway, it hasn’t been completed, causing continued flooding,” resident Manoj Tiwari stated.

“We try to manage the water entering our homes. But when vehicles pass, the water flows in, causing issues for children and damages to possessions. We face significant struggles,” Tiwari added. “If the children fall ill, accessing medical care becomes another hurdle.”

Red Alert Issued

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad, warning of localised intense rainfall and gusty winds. The IMD forecasts heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across parts of western India for the upcoming days.

Article by Viory