Mumbai and its neighboring districts continue to battle relentless rain as the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert on Wednesday, August 20. The warning covers Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, forecasting very intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour.
The impact of the downpour was most visible on Tuesday evening when two overcrowded monorail trains stalled on elevated tracks during the peak of the rains. Over 700 passengers were trapped in dark and airless coaches, sparking panic among commuters. One train carrying more than 580 passengers stopped between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park stations, while another with nearly 200 people stalled near Wadala. Rescue teams and fire brigade personnel used snorkel ladders to bring passengers down safely. Though some people experienced suffocation and one girl was hospitalized, all commuters were eventually evacuated without major injuries.
Officials later confirmed that overcrowding had pushed the train’s total weight beyond its designed capacity, preventing it from being towed to the nearest station. This forced emergency rescue operations. Services resumed the following day, but authorities have promised a detailed technical review to avoid a repeat of the incident.
The continuous rainfall has also caused severe waterlogging across Mumbai, leading to long traffic jams and disruptions in several areas. The Mumbai Traffic Police reported closures, including at the Maharashtra Nagar Tunnel in Mankhurd, where floodwaters reached up to eight feet. Meanwhile, schools and colleges in Thane were declared closed as the district recorded nearly 187 millimeters of rainfall in a 24-hour period.
Air travel has not been spared either. IndiGo issued an advisory for passengers warning of potential delays at Mumbai airport due to heavy rain and congested access roads. Travelers were urged to allow extra time for their journey and keep track of flight updates.
According to the Maharashtra Disaster Management Department, 21 people have lost their lives in rain and flood-related incidents across the state since August 15. Six of those fatalities were reported within the last 24 hours, with five individuals still missing in Nanded following severe flooding. Multiple teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force remain deployed across Maharashtra to provide assistance.
As the city continues to cope with intense rainfall, residents are advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, exercise caution on slippery roads, and plan their travel carefully. The situation highlights once again how vulnerable Mumbai and its surrounding regions remain during the peak of the monsoon season.
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