Mumbai rains: Schools, colleges shut as IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall

Pic/Satej Shinde

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai on Monday, August 18, 2025. Following continuous downpours since morning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered all schools and colleges in the city to remain closed for the afternoon session.

BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani directed that educational institutions operating after 12 noon suspend classes for the day to ensure student safety. He further instructed civic and disaster management teams to remain on high alert in view of the weather conditions.

The BMC has urged citizens to step out only if absolutely necessary. For official information and assistance, residents can contact the civic body's main control room at helpline number 1916.

Mumbai and its suburbs witnessed persistent rainfall on Monday (August 18), prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for Mumbai, adjoining suburbs, and Raigad till 12 pm. The forecast indicates moderate to heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs, with the possibility of very heavy showers accompanied by gusty winds towards night.

Several areas reported waterlogging and traffic congestion during peak morning hours, adding to the city's monsoon woes. According to tide data, Mumbai will witness a high tide at 6:51 pm, measuring 3.08 meters. On August 19, a low tide is expected at 1:56 am at 1.22 meters, followed by a high tide at 9:16 am at 3.75 meters, and another low tide at 3:16 pm at 2.22 meters.

After the heavy downpour overnight on Monday, the rain intensity further increased from 9 am, the civic officials said.

The island city, eastern and western suburbs recorded an average rainfall of 37 mm, 39 mm and 29 mm, respectively, in just one hour from 9 am.

Chembur in the eastern suburbs recorded the highest rainfall of 65 mm, followed by 50 mm in Shivaji Nagar in the one-hour period, the official said.

In the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Monday, the island city recorded an average rainfall of 54.58 mm, the eastern suburbs received 72.61 mm, while the western suburbs recorded 65.86 mm of rain, according to officials.

Several areas recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall during the period, they said.