24 June,2026 02:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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A retaining wall adjacent to a residential building collapsed in Mumbai's Vikhroli West late on Tuesday night following heavy rainfall that lashed several parts of the city, officials said. No injuries were reported in the incident, and authorities are monitoring the situation. Further details are awaited.
The wall collapse occurred as Mumbai experienced intense overnight rainfall after the southwest monsoon arrived in the city earlier this week. Despite the heavy showers, road and rail traffic remained largely unaffected on Wednesday morning, according to civic and transport officials.
Officials said the retaining wall, located next to a residential building in Vikhroli West, gave way late Tuesday night after continuous rainfall in the area.
Emergency teams were informed about the incident, and an assessment of the damage is underway. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties.
As heavy rain continued through the night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and Palghar at 4 am on Wednesday.
The alert, which remained in force for three hours, warned of thunderstorms, lightning, intense to very intense rainfall and gusty winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 60 kilometres per hour.
At 7 am, the weather department downgraded the warning to an orange alert for the next three hours. The revised forecast predicted moderate to intense spells of rainfall across Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Sindhudurg districts.
Meteorologists advised residents to remain cautious and avoid venturing into vulnerable areas during periods of intense rainfall.
The southwest monsoon reached Mumbai on Tuesday, ending a prolonged wait and bringing relief from the humid and hot weather conditions experienced over the past several weeks.
According to the IMD, the normal onset date of the monsoon in Mumbai is June 10. This year, the monsoon arrived 13 days later than usual.
However, meteorological records show that the city has witnessed even later arrivals in previous years. In 2023, the monsoon reached Mumbai on June 25.
The longest delays were recorded in 1958 and 1974, when the onset of the monsoon occurred on June 28, according to IMD data.
Despite the heavy overnight rainfall, transport services across Mumbai operated without major disruption on Wednesday morning.
Officials said all major subways in the city remained open, allowing vehicular traffic to move normally despite intermittent heavy showers.
Mumbai's suburban railway network, often considered the city's lifeline, also continued to function as scheduled. Local train services operated normally across major routes during the morning rush hours.
BEST bus services were similarly unaffected by the weather conditions and continued regular operations throughout the city.
With forecasts predicting more rainfall over the coming days, civic authorities and disaster management teams remain on alert across Mumbai and neighbouring districts.
Officials said continuous monitoring of low-lying areas, drainage systems and vulnerable structures is underway to minimise disruptions and respond quickly to any emergencies caused by heavy rainfall.
While Wednesday morning saw relatively smooth traffic conditions, authorities have urged residents to stay updated on weather advisories as the monsoon season gains momentum across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
