Mumbai witnessed severe traffic disruptions on Monday as heavy rains lashed the city, leading to waterlogging and long traffic snarls at key junctions. Among the most affected routes were the Dadar and King’s Circle flyovers, where vehicular movement slowed to a crawl for hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded during peak travel time.
According to civic officials, intense overnight rainfall coupled with continuous morning showers created waterlogging at several low-lying spots, forcing traffic diversions and slowing down public transport. The situation worsened on the eastern and central corridors of the city, with major flyovers witnessing gridlocks. Emergency vehicles faced difficulty navigating the congestion, further highlighting the scale of disruption. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and adjoining districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over the next 24 hours. This alert comes after the city received widespread rainfall over the weekend, swelling rivers, lakes, and stormwater drains to near-capacity levels. Officials have cautioned citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and remain indoors wherever possible.
Civic authorities, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have deployed additional pumping machines and quick-response teams to manage rising water levels in flood-prone areas. At least a dozen spots in central Mumbai, including Sion, Dadar, King’s Circle, and Hindmata, reported significant water accumulation. The BMC’s disaster management unit confirmed that stormwater drains are operating at maximum capacity but the sheer volume of rainfall has caused unavoidable backflow in several pockets. Public transport also bore the brunt of the rains. Local train services on both Central and Harbour lines were delayed due to water on the tracks at vulnerable sections. BEST bus operations were curtailed on multiple routes as vehicles struggled to maneuver through flooded streets. Commuters resorted to walking long stretches to reach their destinations, adding to the chaos during the morning rush.
Traffic police have issued advisories urging citizens to use alternate routes and avoid affected flyovers until the water recedes. Additional personnel have been stationed at choke points to regulate vehicular movement and prevent further gridlocks. Despite these measures, congestion remained heavy across parts of south-central Mumbai. Meanwhile, residents expressed frustration on social media, sharing visuals of waterlogged streets, stranded buses, and stalled cars. Many raised concerns over the city’s drainage infrastructure and the recurring monsoon woes that leave daily life paralysed. Some commuters also highlighted the risks faced by schoolchildren and office-goers who were forced to wade through waist-deep water in certain areas.
Authorities have assured that teams are working round-the-clock to restore normalcy. With the red alert in force, officials said they are closely monitoring water levels in reservoirs and river catchments around Mumbai. Citizens have been urged to exercise caution, stay tuned to official updates, and avoid venturing into flooded areas until conditions improve.
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