Heavy monsoon rains in Mumbai have triggered a landslide in Bhandup, resulting in the collapse of a protective wall and several houses. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in the Khindipada area, near Sai Niketan CHS, opposite Omega School, at around 7:30 pm. Mud and soil slid down from a nearby hill due to the incessant rainfall, causing portions of two already vacated houses to collapse. As a safety measure, an additional three to four adjacent bungalows were evacuated.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that the houses collapsed due to soil movement. Emergency units, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, city police, S Ward teams, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), responded promptly to secure the site, remove debris, and ensure stability around surrounding structures. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported.
A video of the incident has gone viral, showing the dramatic collapse of houses and a wall on a hillside within seconds. The hill, approximately fifty feet high, had a strong protective barrier built to prevent such disasters. However, continuous rainfall caused a deep fissure to develop in the wall, leading to its collapse. Five houses located close to the wall came crashing down along with large chunks of earth and debris.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded over 100 mm of rainfall across Mumbai in the 48 hours leading up to the incident, with respective readings of 87 mm at Colaba and 85 mm at Santacruz. This volume of rain triggered an orange alert for Mumbai and neighboring districts. Widespread waterlogging followed, halting vehicular movement in several low-lying zones, including the Andheri subway, which was closed and diverted traffic to alternate routes. The IMD forecasts heavy rains to continue until July 24, with possible wind gusts up to 50 km/h, advising residents to avoid prone areas.
In addition to the landslide, authorities have received reports of at least 11 tree fall incidents, with the highest number occurring in the western suburbs. Mumbai has also witnessed seven instances of electrical short circuits. Central and Harbour line trains faced delays due to the downpour.
The BMC has issued a high tide alert, and the IMD forecasts more rain and potential traffic disruptions, including subway closures. The incident has raised concerns among residents, especially with more rain expected in the coming days.
