Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 19: Mumbai’s famed local train network, considered the city’s lifeline, was thrown out of gear on Tuesday as heavy rains triggered severe waterlogging, causing widespread disruption in suburban services.
The Harbour Line was the worst affected, with services between Chunnabhatti (CLA) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) suspended due to flooding on the tracks. The Central Line too faced a complete halt, with operations between CSMT and Thane suspended until further notice, according to Central Railway authorities.
“Due to heavy rains in the Mumbai region and #Waterlogging, Mainline train services between CSMT and Thane station are suspended until further notice. Shuttle services are running between Thane–Karjat, Khopoli and Kasara Station,” DRM Mumbai CR posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Earlier, the authority had also updated: “Due to heavy rains in Mumbai and #Waterlogging at Chunnabhatti station, train services on the Harbour Line between CLA and CSMT are suspended until further notice.”
Passengers on the Central Line reported long delays and bunching of trains at several stretches. The official Mumbai Railway Users page confirmed, “There is bunching of local trains between Kurla and Vadala Road.”
While Central Railway struggled, Western Railway suburban services continued without major delays as of 11:30 am.
Visuals from Wadala showed vast stretches of submerged tracks, with trains crawling at a slow pace. Several low-lying areas also reported heavy waterlogging, leading to traffic snarls across the city. BEST buses were diverted at multiple points due to flooded roads, officials said.
The impact was felt beyond transport. Schools and colleges across Mumbai remained closed, while the Directorate of Higher Education declared a holiday for senior colleges in the Konkan belt, covering Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued heavy showers. The forecast for Aug 19 predicted “heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations” in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. IMD further warned of heavy rainfall at a few places on Aug 20, isolated heavy showers on Aug 21, and moderate rainfall on Aug 22.
The city had already reeled under heavy downpour on Monday, Aug 18, when several roads were submerged, traffic was disrupted, and daily life was badly hit.