Mumbai has been brought to a standstill by relentless monsoon rains, disrupting air, road, and rail transport. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies have declared holidays for schools and colleges, and government offices were also shut. Private firms were advised to allow employees to work from home.

Impact on Transportation:

• Air Travel: Flight operations at Mumbai Airport have been affected, with delays and diversions reported due to poor visibility and heavy rainfall. IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory, anticipating delays in departures and arrivals and advising passengers to check their flight status.
• Rail Services: Local train services, the city's lifeline, have been severely disrupted. Tracks were submerged under several inches of water at some locations, leading to delays and suspension of services on Central Railway's main and harbor lines. Harbour Line trains between Kurla and CSMT were suspended.
• Road Traffic: Many roads are waterlogged, causing traffic congestion and slow movement. Subways like the Andheri subway were closed due to waterlogging, and traffic was diverted. BEST bus services have been diverted at several locations due to submerged roads.

Evacuation and Casualties:

• Around 500 people were evacuated after the Mithi River's water level crossed the danger mark. They were shifted to temporary shelters, such as the Magandas Nathuram School.
• Across Maharashtra, 10 deaths have been reported due to rain-related incidents. Two deaths were reported in Mumbai, one due to a compound wall collapse and another due to electrocution.

Weather Forecast and Warnings:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Palghar districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall until Wednesday.
• Heavy rainfall is expected to continue until August 21, with the Konkan region, central Maharashtra's ghat areas, and coastal districts expected to experience the highest intensity.
• The IMD has also forecast the possibility of gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri districts. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea.

Government Response:

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the situation and directed officials to take necessary precautions. He mentioned that Red and Orange alerts have been issued for several districts until August 21.
• Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited various parts of Mumbai to assess the situation and oversee relief efforts.
• The state government has instructed local administrations to close schools and colleges. Mumbai University has postponed 32 exams scheduled for Tuesday to August 23.

Monorail Incident:

• A Monorail train got stuck between Chembur and Bhakti Park due to a power failure amid heavy rains. Nearly 100 passengers were stranded for over two hours.
• The overcrowding from Harbour Line closure caused the power failure on the Mumbai Monorail.
• All passengers were eventually rescued. CM Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Rainfall Data:

• Mumbai has recorded nearly 300 mm of rainfall.
• Chincholi Fire Station recorded the highest rainfall in 24 hours, with 361 mm between August 18 and August 19.
• Other areas with significant rainfall include Vikhroli (255.5 mm), Byculla (241 mm), Santacruz (238.2 mm), and Juhu (221.5 mm).

The heavy rainfall has led to severe waterlogging, traffic jams, and disruption of essential services, causing immense inconvenience to Mumbai residents. The government is taking measures to ensure the safety of citizens and provide necessary assistance.