Mumbai and several parts of Maharashtra were battered by relentless rainfall on Monday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for Raigad, Pune, and Satara districts. The warning, which applies through early Tuesday, indicates the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall, especially in the ghat areas. Mumbai, although under an orange alert, experienced persistent morning showers that submerged low-lying areas and severely disrupted the city’s transport systems. Air India and IndiGo both issued advisories as flight operations to and from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport faced delays and possible cancellations. Suburban train services also suffered, with delays of 20–30 minutes reported on Central and Western lines, while the Mumbai Metro briefly halted operations due to fallen debris.
Since the onset of monsoon rains on June 1, Maharashtra has recorded at least 18 fatalities and 65 injuries due to rain-related incidents, particularly in the Konkan region. Officials confirmed that heavy rainfalls have caused rivers to overflow, flooding several villages and urban areas along the banks. The island city of Mumbai alone recorded 95 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, while the suburbs recorded 58 mm and 75 mm in the east and west, respectively. High tides compounded the flooding, with a 4.21-metre tide expected around 3:30 pm Monday. Meanwhile, the IMD’s five-day district-wise forecast also placed Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Amravati, Bhandara, Gondia, and Nagpur under an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places.
Authorities across Maharashtra have been urged to remain on high alert and take necessary precautions. A red alert, as per IMD classification, calls for immediate action, while an orange alert signals the need to be prepared for worsening conditions. Rescue teams are on standby as emergency services continue to respond to flood-prone areas. The continuous downpour has not only affected daily commutes but also raised concerns about the stability of infrastructure, especially in areas prone to landslides and flooding. With more rainfall expected in the coming days, the state government is monitoring the situation closely, urging citizens to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary and to heed weather updates.
