06 July,2026 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pune Traffic Superintendent Shivaji Pawar had appealed to commuters to avoid travelling from Pune to Mumbai. Pic/ X
The waterlogging near the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the debris that fell on the road due to landslides have been completely cleared, following which the expressway has been reopened for vehicular traffic, traffic police said.
Police Sub-Inspector Karan Shikalgar of the Traffic Police said vehicles are now being allowed to pass through the affected stretch.
"The traffic police are continuously working to regulate vehicular movement. If there is any obstruction on the new route, traffic will be diverted to the old route," Shikalgar said, ANI reported.
Earlier, the Pune traffic authorities had announced that all routes connecting Pune and Mumbai were closed due to landslides and severe waterlogging caused by relentless rainfall over the past 48 hours.
A landslide also occurred near Tunnel No. 40 (BB EMD) on the Mumbai-Pune railway route. Railway authorities are carrying out debris removal on a war footing, with restoration work currently underway.
Pune Traffic Superintendent Shivaji Pawar had appealed to commuters to avoid travelling from Pune to Mumbai via both the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and the Expressway.
"The Connecting Link on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway was completely closed due to a landslide. The old expressway route was shut because of waterlogging, while a landslide also occurred on the old highway. The entire Pune-to-Mumbai route was blocked. The Mumbai-to-Pune carriageway remained operational, although traffic was moving slowly. We appealed to commuters to postpone their journey from Pune to Mumbai unless absolutely necessary," Pawar said, reported ANI.
Meanwhile, Mumbai and its suburbs are expected to receive very heavy, continuous rainfall, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) weather forecast issued at 8 am on Monday.
The city is also likely to experience gusty winds of 80-90 kmph. Considering the combined impact of heavy rainfall and strong winds, the IMD has upgraded Mumbai to a red alert.
The BMC said the city recorded an average rainfall of 105.24 mm over the past 24 hours. The eastern suburbs received 161.11 mm, while the western suburbs recorded 159.40 mm during the same period.
Authorities have forecast a high tide of 4.08 metres at 3:56 pm, followed by a low tide of 1.52 metres at 10:13 pm. On Tuesday, another high tide of 3.44 metres is expected at 4:38 am, followed by a low tide of 1.86 metres at 9:59 am.
A large tree fell on a road in Mumbai's Colaba area, blocking access to a military zone.
Fire Brigade personnel reached the spot and are clearing the road by cutting and removing the tree's branches and trunk.
Heavy rainfall has also disrupted Mumbai-Pune railway services, with several trains cancelled and others diverted. Railway authorities have advised passengers to check the latest train status before commencing their journey.
According to the Western Railway Public Relations Officer (PRO), the Palghar region recorded nearly 300 mm of rainfall within two hours, leading to a massive inflow of water towards the Vasai-Virar section.
"Water is accumulating due to the inflow from the Palghar side. All city and district drainage channels are overflowing," the PRO said.
The PRO added that large parts of Nalasopara city have been flooded, preventing water from draining from railway tracks and station premises.
"At present, train services are operational but are running at restricted speeds due to waterlogging," the PRO said.
(With ANI inputs)
