Mumbai under Orange alert as heavy rain floods roads, disrupts helpline

Waterlogging near Andheri subway on Wednesday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Mumbai remained under an Orange alert on Wednesday as intense rain continued to lash the city, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued Red alerts for neighbouring Palghar, Thane and Raigad on different days this week. The city has already received more than 500 mm of rain this season, with eastern suburbs recording nearly 200 mm in just 36 hours.

Heavy downpours flooded the Andheri subway, while a high tide compounded waterlogging across several areas. Adding to the concern, the BMC's disaster management helpline remained non-functional for several hours because of an MTNL connectivity issue.

Alternative emergency contacts

>> Fire Brigade (101) and Mumbai Police (100) were asked to divert emergency calls to the Disaster Control Room.
>> Citizens were advised to contact ward offices or reach the BMC through its social media handles.
>> The Disaster Management Control Room continued coordinating with emergency agencies through dedicated hotline connections.

Rain pattern

>> Several eastern and western suburb locations received close to 150 mm in a few hours.
>> Island City recorded more than 75 mm, but no location crossed the 100 mm mark.

Flood watch

Andheri subway
>> Waterlogging reached 4-5 feet.
>> According to the BMC, water receded within about an hour.

Tide impact

High tide
Height: 4.37 metres
Time: 1.11 pm
The high tide coincided with intense rainfall, worsening waterlogging across the city.

BMC disaster helpline affected

The BMC's disaster management helpline 1916 remained non-functional between Tuesday night and Wednesday because of an MTNL connectivity issue.

IMD rainfall alerts (Till Sunday)

District Highest alert
Mumbai Orange alert throughout the week
Palghar Red alert on Thursday
Thane Red alert on Saturday
Raigad Red alert on Friday and Saturday
Orange alert: Heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Red alert: Very heavy rainfall; authorities advise heightened preparedness.

Rainfall so far

Seasonal rainfall
Observatory Rainfall
Colaba 510.7 mm
Santacruz 513.7 mm

Share of seasonal rainfall
Colaba: 24.38%
Santacruz: 22.15%

Wednesday's rain

Between 8 am and 7 pm
Colaba: 70 mm
Santacruz: 96 mm

36-hour rain blitz

Between 8 am Tuesday and 7 pm Wednesday
Region Rainfall
Island City 135.94 mm
Western Suburbs 185.93 mm
Eastern Suburbs 199.16 mm

Worst-hit areas

Highest rainfall on Wednesday
Area Rainfall
Vikhroli 146.4 mm
Powai 142.8 mm
Santacruz 139.2 mm
Mulund 128.8 mm
Andheri 127 mm