Mumbai, June 16, 2025: Torrential rains lashed Mumbai and its neighboring districts on Monday, triggering widespread waterlogging, severe traffic congestion, and disruptions to suburban train and metro rail services. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall, while a red alert was sounded for Raigad due to the likelihood of extremely heavy showers. With an average of 95 mm of rainfall recorded in the 24 hours ending at 8 AM, the city is grappling with the early intensity of the 2025 southwest monsoon, which has already claimed 18 lives and injured 65 others across Maharashtra since June 1.
Rainfall and Its Immediate Impact
Mumbai recorded an average of 95 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8 AM on Monday, according to civic officials cited by PTI. The distribution varied across the city, with the eastern suburbs receiving 58 mm and the western suburbs recording 75 mm. Specific areas like Wadala (161.4 mm), Matunga (147.55 mm), Lower Parel (143.46 mm), and Worli Fire Station (140.73 mm) bore the brunt of the downpour, while eastern suburbs like Chembur saw comparatively lighter rainfall at 111 mm.
The heavy rainfall led to significant waterlogging in low-lying areas such as Andheri Subway, which was closed to traffic, and other flood-prone zones like Hindmata, Sion, and Dadar. Although no major citywide waterlogging was reported by Monday afternoon, localized flooding slowed vehicular movement and reduced visibility, prompting the Mumbai Police to urge residents to avoid coastal and low-lying areas. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deployed teams to clear drains and monitor flood-prone spots, but the intensity of the rains challenged the city’s drainage infrastructure.
Transportation Disruptions
Suburban and Metro Rail Services
Mumbai’s lifeline, its suburban rail network, faced significant disruptions. Central Railway’s Central Line services between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kalyan were delayed by 15–20 minutes due to waterlogged tracks, while Western Railway’s fast locals and slow locals ran 5 and 10 minutes behind schedule, respectively. Commuters reported delays of up to 30 minutes during the morning rush hour, with water accumulation at stations like Kurla and Byculla exacerbating the chaos.
Metro services were also affected, with a brief disruption on the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Line (Line 1) after a plastic sheet fell on overhead wires at Azad Nagar station. The incident, though quickly resolved, highlighted vulnerabilities in the city’s metro infrastructure during heavy rains. Unlike the May 26, 2025, deluge that inundated the newly opened Metro Line 3’s Acharya Atre Chowk station, Monday’s metro disruptions were less severe but still inconvenienced passengers.
Road Traffic and Flight Operations
Road transport faced challenges due to waterlogging and poor visibility. The Andheri Subway closure forced diversions, while slow-moving traffic was reported on major arteries like the Eastern and Western Express Highways. The BMC and Mumbai Traffic Police worked to manage congestion, but commuters faced delays, particularly in areas like Malad, Borivali, and Thane.
Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were impacted, with airlines like Air India and IndiGo issuing travel advisories warning of potential delays. Air India’s advisory noted, “There’s a heavy downpour over Mumbai at the moment, causing some temporary disruption to flight schedules,” urging passengers to allow extra time for travel. While no flights were canceled, low visibility and waterlogged access roads to the airport caused minor scheduling issues.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The IMD forecasted cloudy skies with heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mumbai and its suburbs for the next 24 hours, upgrading its earlier yellow alert to an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar by Monday afternoon. A red alert was issued for Raigad, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the next 16 hours, with similar concerns for the ghat areas of Pune and Satara. Posts on X from weather enthusiasts like @s_r_khandelwal and @IndiaWeatherMan predicted intense rain bands bringing an additional 100 mm of rainfall, with areas like Malad, Borivali, Thane, Kalyan, and Dombivali at risk of waterlogging.
High tides added to the city’s woes, with a 4.21-meter tide expected at 3:31 PM on Monday and a 3.44-meter tide at 3:31 AM on Tuesday. Low tides of 1.86 meters at 9:41 PM and 1.33 meters at 9:10 AM Tuesday were unlikely to fully alleviate flooding risks in coastal areas. The active offshore trough along the Konkan coast, as noted by @indiametsky, was driving the intense rain bands, though a slight easing was anticipated by Tuesday as the system moved north toward Valsad-Surat.
Human and Economic Toll
The relentless monsoon has taken a heavy toll on Maharashtra since June 1, with 18 fatalities and 65 injuries reported due to rain-related incidents, including lightning strikes, drownings, and structural collapses. Mumbai alone has seen significant economic disruption, with the BMC identifying 96 buildings as dangerously dilapidated, prompting the relocation of 3,100 residents. The city’s infrastructure, particularly its aging drainage system, continues to struggle under the monsoon’s intensity, despite annual pre-monsoon desilting efforts.
The early monsoon onset on May 26, 2025—16 days ahead of schedule—has compounded challenges. Mumbai’s record-breaking rainfall in May, with Colaba recording 295 mm, surpassed a 107-year record, signaling an unusually active season. The IMD’s June forecast of above-normal rainfall (108% of the long-period average) suggests prolonged disruptions, though it may keep temperatures in check.
Government and Civic Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the state administration to prioritize public safety, with five National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed in Mumbai to handle emergencies. The BMC urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and provided helplines (1916, 100, 112, 103) for assistance. Mumbai Police’s alert on X reinforced safety advisories, stating, “Our officials and staff are alert and ready to assist Mumbaikars.”
The BMC faced criticism for recurring waterlogging issues, particularly after the May 26 flooding of Metro Line 3’s Acharya Atre Chowk station, which exposed construction quality concerns. On Monday, the civic body imposed ₹10 lakh fines on operators of four mini pumping stations for failing to clear water at key junctions, signaling efforts to enforce accountability.
Broader Context and Future Outlook
Mumbai’s monsoon challenges are a recurring issue, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage upgrades, and climate-driven extreme weather. The city’s low-lying geography and proximity to the Arabian Sea make it vulnerable to flooding, especially during high tides. Experts like Dinesh Narayanan have argued that Mumbai’s frequent flooding underscores the need for climate-resilient urban planning, including modernized drainage systems and stricter construction oversight.
As the monsoon progresses, Mumbai faces a delicate balance between embracing the rains, which replenish water reserves like the Tulsi and Vihar lakes, and mitigating their disruptive impact. The IMD’s forecast of continued heavy showers, coupled with social media warnings of “extremely heavy rains” in the next few hours, suggests that the city must remain on high alert. Commuters are advised to check live updates from the BMC, Mumbai Police, and railway authorities before traveling, while residents in flood-prone areas should prioritize safety.
This latest deluge is a stark reminder of Mumbai’s resilience and its ongoing struggle to adapt to an intensifying monsoon. As the city navigates these challenges, coordinated efforts between civic authorities, residents, and disaster response teams will be crucial to minimizing losses and ensuring safety.
Last Updated on: Monday, June 16, 2025 8:14 pm by Lokram Chittiboina | Published by: Lokram Chittiboina on Monday, June 16, 2025 8:14 pm | News Categories: News
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