IMD Issues Red Alert for Mumbai as Heavy Rain Expected

Mumbai: Mumbai remains on high alert on Sunday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert warning of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, despite a brief lull in showers after overnight downpours.

The weather department forecast very heavy rain in parts of the city and suburbs along with gusty winds reaching 55-65 kmph. Civic authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and remain vigilant as adverse weather conditions are expected to continue.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) advised people to follow official weather updates and use its emergency helpline if required. It also cautioned residents in low-lying areas and along the coastline, noting that high tides of over four metres were expected during the Sunday afternoon, followed by another high tide in the early hours of Monday.

While Metro and BEST bus services were operating as scheduled on Sunday morning, commuters experienced delays on Mumbai's suburban railway network following the impact of heavy rain.

The city witnessed intense rainfall over the previous 24 hours, with several monitoring stations recording more than 200 mm of precipitation. Among the highest totals were over 310 mm in Vikhroli West, more than 306 mm near Colaba Pumping Station and above 301 mm in Tagore Nagar, while several other locations across south Mumbai, Powai, Andheri, Jogeshwari and Goregaon also registered exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Saturday's incessant rain caused widespread disruption across Mumbai and neighbouring districts, inundating roads, triggering cave-ins, uprooting trees and damaging houses. Rail and road transport were affected as tracks and streets were submerged, while nearby Thane, Navi Mumbai, Palghar and parts of Pune also reported flooding, landslides and evacuations from vulnerable areas.