Mumbai rains: IMD issues red alert as heavy downpour triggers chaos in city

Representation picture. File pic

Mumbai woke up to heavy rainfall across all regions on Monday, adding to the intense showers experienced over the past few days. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds lashed the city, causing significant disruption. The downpour affected suburban rail services and slowed traffic due to poor visibility in several areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued red alert about thunderstorms, heavy rains, and strong winds, all of which Mumbai experienced on Monday. Majorly affected areas include Nariman Point, Dadar, Mahim, Parel, Bandra, Kalachowki, and several other parts of the city.

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On Monday, the IMD issued an red alert predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated locations. The weather agency also forecast thunderstorms with lightning and intense rain spells, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h.

Rail services across the city faced major disruptions amid the heavy rains that began early morning. Train services between Kurla and CSMT were completely halted due to waterlogging on the tracks near Masjid station.

Waterlogging has also created a critical situation at KEM Hospital in Parel, disrupting routine operations and posing challenges for patients. The combination of poor drainage and heavy rainfall caused water to seep into various hospital units, resulting in significant inconvenience for patients and their attendants.

Since late Sunday night, many parts of the city have been flooded, exacerbating the chaotic conditions. A tree fell on Oliver Street in Colaba, further worsening traffic congestion in the area.

Data from authorities reveals that several parts of the city - including Nariman Point, Colaba Rescue Centre, and the BMC headquarters - received over 200 mm of rainfall between midnight on Sunday, May 25, 2025, and 11 a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Addressing the ongoing weather conditions, the IMD posted on social media, "A moderate spell of rainfall is likely to continue over Kerala, coastal Maharashtra including Mumbai, south Jharkhand, north Uttar Pradesh, and Meghalaya during the next 3 hours."

Given the widespread disruption and hazards, authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and stay safe.