Battle For Mumbai: IMD Issues Red Alert, Flights Diverted, Local Trains Affected

Mumbai and its suburbs were hit by heavy rains on Wednesday, flooding low-lying areas and disrupting transportation, including local trains, road traffic, and flights. The downpour, which caused significant waterlogging in parts of the city, began to ease post-midnight, allowing water to recede in several affected locations by Thursday morning. Numerous videos circulated on social media showed waterlogged railway tracks between Kurla and Thane, leaving passengers stranded and causing widespread travel delays.

According to reports, many flights to Mumbai were diverted or forced into go-arounds due to poor weather conditions at the city’s airport. The downpour also affected Mulund and its surrounding areas, which experienced the heaviest rainfall of the day.

A civic body official reported that the eastern suburbs of Mumbai experienced particularly heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving close to 30 mm of rain by 6 pm on Wednesday. Areas such as Kurla, Chembur, Mulund, Vikhroli, and Breach Candy were among the hardest hit, with water levels rising to waist height, making it difficult for residents to navigate through the streets.

Flight Diversions and Disruptions

Mumbai’s inclement weather forced the diversion of 14 flights on Wednesday, including nine flights operated by IndiGo. An official from the Mumbai airport confirmed that poor visibility and heavy rain made landing unsafe, prompting the Air Traffic Control (ATC) to direct some flights to alternative airports. The diverted flights were rerouted to Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Goa’s Mopa Airport, and Udaipur.

Local Train Services Resume After Disruptions

Local train services on Mumbai’s Harbour line were severely impacted by waterlogged tracks, but operations gradually returned to normal on Thursday as water levels dropped. Passengers were seen walking on the railway tracks at Chunabhatti station, unable to board the delayed trains. The Central Railway advised commuters to stay inside the trains for safety reasons, urging patience as services resumed.

“Due to heavy rains and waterlogging, trains are operating at reduced speeds. Please stay on board; your safety is our priority,” the Central Railway said in a social media post.

Weather Alerts Issued for Mumbai and Surrounding Areas

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and its neighboring districts, warning of further heavy rain through Thursday. Palghar was also placed under a red alert, while an orange alert was declared for Thane, Raigad, Mumbai, and Pune. North Maharashtra districts, including Nashik and Dhule, were placed under an orange alert due to expected heavy downpours.

As Mumbai braces for more rain, authorities are urging residents to stay cautious and avoid waterlogged areas. The city’s infrastructure continues to be tested, with local services working to return to normal despite the severe weather conditions.