Mumbai on Red Alert as Torrential Rain Brings City to a Halt

bynewsbreak24

Mumbai: Heavy downpours drenched several parts of Mumbai on Monday, August 18, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and a city-wide alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the region.

The rain, which began in the early hours, quickly led to flooding in low-lying areas. Key routes such as the Western Express Highway near Vile Parle saw slow-moving traffic, while the Andheri Subway had to be closed due to water accumulation. Waterlogging was also reported near Gandhi Market in Sion and other inner-city routes, adding to commuters’ woes.

Schools Shut, BMC on High Alert

In response to the worsening situation, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for all schools in the afternoon shift. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani directed all departments to stay on alert and be ready to respond to emergencies.

Authorities urged residents to stay indoors unless travel is essential. Citizens were advised to stay updated via official channels and to call the BMC helpline at 1916 for assistance.

Rainfall Data: Heaviest in Chembur and Vikhroli

Between 8:30 am and 11:30 am IST on Monday, different parts of the city received significant rainfall. Here’s a snapshot of the recorded levels:

  • Tata Power Chembur: 91.5 mm

  • Vikhroli: 78.5 mm

  • Juhu: 60.0 mm

  • Sion: 58.5 mm

  • Bandra: 50.0 mm

  • Santacruz: 47.2 mm

  • Colaba: 29.0 mm

These numbers underline the severity of the downpour, with Chembur and Vikhroli receiving the highest rainfall during the morning hours.

Airlines Issue Advisories for Travellers

The disruption wasn’t limited to roads. Airlines including Akasa Air and IndiGo issued advisories warning of potential delays due to road congestion around the airport.

Akasa Air, through a social media post, advised passengers traveling from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, and Pune to allow extra travel time to avoid missing flights. IndiGo also highlighted slowed traffic and waterlogged roads leading to the airport, suggesting flyers leave early and monitor updates via their app or website.

“Our airport teams are on standby to assist you,” IndiGo noted in their advisory.

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