Mumbai rains force airlines travel advisory as red alert issued
Mumbai remained battered by heavy rainfall for a third consecutive day, crippling transport networks, forcing closure of schools and colleges, and leaving thousands of residents struggling with flooded streets. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, Konkan and Ghat regions after the city received nearly 300 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours. The severe downpour has claimed seven lives, underlining once again how vulnerable India’s financial capital remains to climate extremes.
Suburban train services, the city’s essential lifeline carrying millions daily, were heavily disrupted with waterlogged tracks halting operations on the Central and Harbour lines. Services were partially restored beyond Thane and Panvel, but inner-city commuters were left stranded for hours. Road traffic was equally paralysed, with low-lying areas submerged and arterial routes witnessing bumper-to-bumper congestion since morning.The aviation sector too faced turbulence. Multiple airlines issued public advisories warning of delays and cancellations owing to air traffic congestion at Mumbai airport.
Carriers urged passengers to check flight status before travel and advised additional travel time to reach the airport due to rain-soaked, slow-moving roads. Officials emphasised that safety remained the priority, though the disruption caused widespread anxiety for passengers.City authorities ordered all schools and colleges to remain closed as a precautionary measure. Education officials said the decision was taken to protect students and staff from the risks posed by waterlogging and transport breakdowns. Parents and guardians welcomed the move but expressed concern over repeated disruptions to academic schedules during every monsoon spell.
Experts say that the rainfall, though intense, is not unprecedented for Mumbai. What remains concerning is the recurring collapse of civic systems despite years of investment in pumping stations, stormwater drains and flood-mitigation projects. Environmental planners highlight how unchecked construction along natural floodplains, inadequate drainage upkeep, and poor integration of urban planning with climate forecasts continue to amplify risks.A senior urban transport expert observed that while the city’s resilience lies in its people’s adaptability, the lack of long-term climate-proofing of infrastructure leaves citizens paying the price. “Red alerts will become more frequent with climate change. Unless Mumbai integrates resilience into transport and housing, every monsoon will bring the same story of loss, delay and disruption,” the expert noted.
For residents, the day ended with uncertainty over whether services would normalise by Wednesday. While rail and airline authorities worked through the evening to restore operations, forecasters warned that heavy rainfall could continue across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts. For a metropolis that anchors India’s economy, the recurring paralysis during monsoon is a reminder that future growth must be measured not just in skyscrapers and expressways, but in sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure that safeguards people’s everyday mobility and safety.
