Mumbai has been lashed by torrential rainfall over the past 84 hours, with some areas receiving as much as 500mm of rain. This extreme weather event has disrupted normal life in the city and surrounding regions, leading to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for August 18-19. The heavy downpour has resulted in two deaths, one missing person, widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and school closures.
Tragically, the heavy rains have claimed the lives of two individuals. A 75-year-old watchman died after a compound wall collapsed at Nepean Sea Road. In a separate incident, a man was electrocuted in Kanjurmarg. Authorities are also searching for a 24-year-old who went missing after entering the Mithi river.
The relentless rainfall has caused significant waterlogging across the city, with Chembur and Dadar recording 100 mm of rain in just eight hours. Key areas like Hindmata and King's Circle, despite having underground tanks installed at a cost of ₹156 crore, experienced flooding. The Andheri Subway was forced to shut down for over six hours due to the inundation. The Western Express Highway near Vile Parle also experienced heavy traffic delays due to waterlogged stretches.
The severe weather conditions have led to major disruptions in transportation. Central Railway services were delayed by 10-60 minutes due to waterlogging at Kurla, Govandi, Tilak Nagar, and Chembur. Western Railway also slowed down train operations due to reduced visibility. Several flights were disrupted, with reports of diversions and go-arounds at Mumbai Airport. BEST bus routes were diverted on 51 routes. Passengers also faced refusals and surge fares from cabs and auto-rickshaws.
In response to the red alert and the intense rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and civic bodies in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Mira Bhayander declared holidays for all schools and colleges. Mumbai University postponed 32 exams to August 23. The BMC's Disaster Management Authority announced the closure of schools and colleges on Tuesday, August 19, to ensure the safety of students.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged citizens to take necessary precautions, as more showers and high tides are expected. He also stated that seven lives have been lost across Maharashtra due to the heavy rains. More than 200 villagers were stranded in the Nanded district, prompting the deployment of the army for rescue and relief efforts. The Chief Minister's office reported that several rivers in the Konkan region have crossed danger marks, and Jalgaon has reported significant damage.
The IMD has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated locations expected to receive extremely heavy showers in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad. Ratnagiri is also under a red alert, while Palghar, Sindhudurg, Aurangabad, Hingoli, Jalgaon, Jalna, Nanded, and Parbhani remain under an orange alert.
The heavy rains have also raised concerns about vector-borne diseases. The BMC reported a rise in malaria and chikungunya cases in Mumbai from January to August 2025, compared to the same period last year.
Authorities have been working to provide relief and assistance to those affected by the rains. Police have been instructed to remain vigilant in tourist and landslide-prone areas. Relief shelters have been equipped with food, clean water, and bedding. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the armed forces are conducting rescue and relief operations in affected areas.
