Mumbai is under an orange alert today, August 20, 2025, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in isolated locations. While the intensity of the rain is expected to ease starting Thursday, the city is still bracing for another day of disruptions.
Yesterday, Mumbai and its surrounding areas were lashed by torrential downpours, which caused widespread flooding and paralyzed daily life. Many streets were transformed into rivers, highlighting the city's ongoing struggle with monsoon flooding. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that over 200 mm of rain fell in just 11 hours on August 19. The Mithi River swelled, causing water to enter low-lying areas and necessitating evacuations in places like Kurla.
The heavy rains have disrupted local train services, a lifeline for Mumbai commuters. Tracks were waterlogged, causing delays and inconvenience. Flight operations were also affected, with airlines issuing travel advisories. IndiGo, among other airlines, has released an advisory stating that continuous rainfall is affecting air traffic, causing delays in flight operations. The airline advises passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to allow extra travel time due to slow-moving traffic. IndiGo teams are closely monitoring the situation to minimize disruptions, prioritizing the safety and comfort of passengers.
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Schools, colleges, and government offices were closed on Tuesday, and the Bombay High Court functioned for a limited time. The IMD had issued a red alert for Mumbai on Tuesday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall through August 21. An orange alert remains in effect for Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
According to the IMD, Mumbai received significant rainfall between August 19 and August 20:
efforts are underway to restore normalcy, with work being done to restore waterlogged railway stations. The weather forecast indicates that rainfall is likely to reduce from Thursday, bringing some relief to the city.
