Heavy rains in Mumbai have severely disrupted flight operations and caused significant waterlogging across various parts of the city. Areas such as Sion, Chembur, and Andheri are among the worst affected. The weather office has issued a red alert for Mumbai until 8:30 am tomorrow, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in some areas.
Flight Delays and Cancellations
The downpour has led to multiple flight delays and cancellations. IndiGo has reported “periodic delays in flight schedules” due to the heavy rain, advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Air India has also been impacted, with some flights being cancelled or diverted. The airline is offering full refunds or complimentary one-time rescheduling for today’s bookings.
SpiceJet has warned passengers about potential delays in departures and arrivals, urging them to stay updated on their flight status.
Traffic Disruptions and Waterlogging
Traffic through the Andheri subway has been halted due to flooding. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reported that Modak-Sagar and Vihar lakes, two of the seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai, are overflowing. These lakes have capacities of 12,892 crore litres and 2,769 crore litres, respectively. The BMC has announced a 10% cut in Mumbai’s water supply despite the overflow.
Impact Beyond Mumbai
The heavy rain has affected areas near Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra as well. In Thane, regions like Mumbra are waterlogged. In Pune, several residential complexes in Pimpri Chinchwad are flooded, and three people have died after being electrocuted while wading through water.
Government Response
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured that the administration is on high alert. Rescue agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are prepared to assist residents. Shinde has also stated that the state government is in contact with the Army for additional support if necessary.
“I am closely monitoring the situation. I appeal to Mumbaikars to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary,” Shinde said.
Situation in Pune
Regarding Pune, Shinde mentioned that he has spoken to city officials and is prepared to airlift people if needed. “If the need arises, we have told them to airlift people. There is no need to worry,” he reassured.
As the heavy rains continue to affect daily life and disrupt essential services, authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions and stay safe.