Mumbai To Experience Rain And Mild Temperatures Today
Torrential rains continued to lash Mumbai on Tuesday, prompting the national weather agency to issue a red alert for the city and its adjoining districts. The relentless downpour has not only caused widespread waterlogging but also grounded flights and closed critical subway routes, disrupting daily life. With several transport corridors affected and advisories in place, civic agencies and transport officials are now scrambling to manage mobility and safety across the city, even as more heavy rain is forecast in the coming days.
As per the latest weather update, Mumbai, along with neighbouring districts of Raigad, Thane, and Ratnagiri, has been placed under a red alert indicating extremely heavy rainfall and potential flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that these regions are likely to experience intense spells of thunderstorms and rain. Meanwhile, an orange alert has been sounded for Pune and Satara, which are expected to receive heavy showers accompanied by thunder. Officials emphasise that these alerts are not just precautionary but essential in light of the current and forecast conditions that pose real-time risks to commuters, residents, and essential services. In Mumbai, critical transport infrastructure has taken a severe hit. The Andheri Subway, a key arterial underpass, was closed due to over two feet of water accumulation, diverting all vehicular movement to the Gokhale Bridge. Civic authorities are on high alert as waterlogging in low-lying areas continues to stall traffic and increase the risk of short-term urban flooding.
Transport officials are urging commuters to avoid non-essential travel and are coordinating traffic diversions in flood-prone zones. The flooding also underscores the pressing need for improved drainage systems and stormwater planning in India’s coastal cities. Flight operations have been similarly impacted, with delays and cancellations rippling through major airlines. Multiple advisories have been issued urging passengers to check their flight status before travelling. Officials at Mumbai airport confirmed that visibility and airfield conditions were being monitored closely, but congestion was likely to persist through the day. With passengers facing long delays and the potential for overnight disruptions, aviation authorities are working in tandem with meteorological teams to plan for extended weather-related challenges. The disruptions also highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events, which are growing in frequency due to climate change.
Despite assurances, concerns remain over the city’s preparedness to handle climate-induced weather extremes. The seasonal monsoon is crucial for the region’s water needs, but its increasing unpredictability—combined with rapid urbanisation—puts pressure on stormwater systems, road safety, and air operations. While emergency response units and civic engineers are active on the ground, experts stress that sustainable city planning, backed by climate-resilient infrastructure, is key to protecting lives and maintaining essential services. There is a growing demand for integrated weather warning systems, decentralised flood response mechanisms, and robust public transport alternatives during monsoon months.
