Morning deluge floods station, shuts shops, and forces commuters into waist-deep chaos; Commuters from Bhaji Market, Patkar Road, and Rath Road moved cautiously as ankle- to knee-deep water slowed their journey
Floodwater entering shops near Dombivli East station. Pics/Shrikant Khuperkar
Heavy rain that began around 7 am on Tuesday caused severe flooding in and around Dombivli East railway station, making it difficult for commuters to reach their trains. Some private offices remained open, forcing employees to wade through waterlogged streets to get to work.
Commuters from Bhaji Market, Patkar Road, and Rath Road moved cautiously as ankle- to knee-deep water slowed their journey. At Bhaji Market, all shops were shut for business. Shopkeepers scrambled to move goods to higher ground to avoid damage, while many residents were forced to walk through waist-high stretches as auto-rickshaws refused to ply. Elderly citizens especially struggled to keep their balance.
With the government declaring a holiday, trains were relatively empty. This brought rare relief to those heading to private offices, who could board without the usual crush. Some even joked that such crowd-free trains should run daily. Local shopkeepers were seen rushing to protect their stock, carrying sacks and crates to safer places. “I heard the rain would continue, so I came early to lift all my materials onto tables. The water was rising fast,” said one shopkeeper.
By 8.45 am, KDMC staff reached the station area to guide commuters around manholes and other hazards. Despite their efforts, navigating through the water remained a struggle. Residents expressed frustration over repeated inaction. Manoj Desai, a long-time local, said, “For years, KDMC, our MLA, and MP have ignored this area. Even on dry days, hawkers block the roads, leaving no clear space for commuters to walk safely.”
Another commuter, Sujata Menon, said, “I usually walk from Bhaji Market to the middle bridge, but today it was impossible. I had to take a longer route via Platform No. 5 from Kalyan Bridge. The middle bridge was submerged.” With rainfall expected to continue through the day, residents remain on edge, calling for permanent solutions to the chronic flooding that cripples life around Dombivli station.
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