Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 2: Heavy monsoon showers lashed Mumbai on Thursday, triggering widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion and delays in suburban train services during the morning rush hour, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city.

Neighbouring Palghar district also remains under a red alert, with the weather department forecasting more intense rainfall through the day.

Several low-lying areas, including Dadar, Parel, Hindmata, Charkop, Worli, Goregaon and Andheri, witnessed severe waterlogging, making commuting difficult for motorists and office-goers.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), several parts of the city recorded over 200 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8 am on Thursday.

The heavy rain also affected suburban rail services, with commuters reporting delays of 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours. Railway authorities, however, said train operations continued as there was no major waterlogging on the tracks.

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Mumbai and its suburbs, with isolated spells of extremely heavy rain likely to continue through Thursday and into the early hours of Friday. Gusty winds with speeds of 50 to 60 kmph are also expected.

The BMC has warned that a high tide of 4.27 metres is expected at 1.45 pm on Thursday, followed by another high tide of 3.71 metres at 1.31 am on Friday, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas.

The Central Railway said more than 180 mm of rainfall had been recorded over the past 24 hours but confirmed that suburban train services on all four corridors were operating normally.

Western Railway also stated that its suburban services remained on schedule despite reports of minor delays from commuters.

The eastern suburbs received the highest average rainfall at 189 mm during the 24-hour period, followed by the island city with 172 mm and the western suburbs with 165 mm.

Among the highest rainfall recordings were Santacruz SWM Workshop and the S Ward Office in Bhandup with 238.8 mm each, followed by Paspoli Municipal School in Powai (234.6 mm), Tagore Nagar Municipal School in Vikhroli (233.2 mm), Mithagar Municipal School in Mulund (226 mm), Andheri Fire Station (225.4 mm), F South Ward Office in Parel (222 mm) and G South Ward Office in Prabhadevi (220.4 mm).

Authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant as heavy rain and strong winds are expected to continue, with low-lying areas likely to remain vulnerable to waterlogging.