Heavy rains in Mumbai: Schools closed, train and flight services disrupted amid IMD red alert

Vehicular and rail traffic in Mumbai resumed Thursday, 26 September after heavy rains battered the city, inundating low-lying areas, halting local trains in their tracks and forcing the diversion of at least 14 incoming flights.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai and its adjoining districts Thane, Palghar, and Raigad for Thursday morning.

The extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to announce a holiday for all schools and colleges on Thursday, 26 September. Schools and colleges in Thane, Palghar, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will also be closed on Thursday following heavy rains.

The Mumbai civic body and police have advised all people in the city and surrounding areas to stay indoors as much as possible.

“Mumbaikars, if not required, avoid stepping out of home,” the BMC posted on X.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Mumbai, till tomorrow morning 8.30am.

In view of this, all schools and colleges in Mumbai have been declared a holiday for tomorrow Thursday, 26 September 2024, in consideration of the safety of students.

The…

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) September 25, 2024

बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिका मुख्यालयातील आपत्कालीन नियंत्रण कक्षातून महानगरपालिका आयुक्त तथा प्रशासक श्री. भूषण गगराणी, अतिरिक्त महानगरपालिका आयुक्त (शहर) डॉ. अश्विनी जोशी, अतिरिक्त महानगरपालिका आयुक्त (पूर्व उपनगरे) डॉ. अमित सैनी हे सातत्याने परिस्थितीचा आढावा घेत आहेत.

From the… pic.twitter.com/BVxWIhGtYF

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) September 25, 2024

A 45-year-old woman drowned in a nullah overflowing due to heavy rains in suburban Andheri on Wednesday, 25 September police said.

The incident occurred at around 9.20 pm near gate no. 8 of MIDC, Andheri East, they said. The victim was identified as Vimal Anil Gaikwad.

Local police and the fire brigade were alerted and they took the woman to the Cooper Hospital where she was declared brought dead, they said.

Parts of Goa inundated after heavy rains; IMD issues ‘red’ alert

After Wednesday’s heavy rains, some roads virtually turned into rivers of fast-moving water as several areas received more than 100 mm of rain in five hours of evening.

As local trains stopped between Kurla and Thane stations on the Central line, thousands of commuters were stranded as CSMT and other stations, while there were traffic jams in various places.

As per BMC data, the island city, eastern suburbs and western suburbs received 87.79 mm, 167.48 mm, and 95.57 mm rainfall between 5 pm and 10 pm.

Mumbai municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has asked all assistant commissioners to ensure that respective executive engineers stay put in ward control rooms.