Mumbai Rains: Heavy overnight rainfall led to widespread waterlogging across several parts of Mumbai on Wednesday, disrupting traffic movement, forcing the closure of an underpass in Andheri and affecting local train services.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the Andheri subway was temporarily shut for vehicular movement after it was inundated by rainwater. Officials were stationed at the site to prevent vehicles from entering the flooded underpass.
Waterlogging was also reported in parts of Bandra East and Everard Nagar, where another subway was closed for public movement. Visuals from across the city showed roads submerged and vehicles moving cautiously amid reduced visibility and heavy rain.
The showers led to traffic congestion on major routes, including the Western Express Highway, where rain-related slowdowns were compounded after a vegetable-laden truck overturned. The Eastern Express Highway also witnessed slow-moving traffic due to water accumulation on roads. According to rainfall data recorded between 8:00 am on June 23 and 2:00 am on June 24, the city received significant rainfall across the regions. Mumbai in the last 24 hours recorded an average rainfall of 78 mm, while the Eastern Suburbs received 87 mm, and the Western Suburbs recorded the highest rainfall at 113 mm.
During the one-hour period between 1:00 am and 2:00 am on Wednesday, June 24, several locations experienced intense downpours. In the city region, Kala Killa in Dharavi recorded 19 mm of rainfall, followed by Adarsh Nagar School in Worli with 16 mm, while Dadar Fire Station and Worli Fire Station each received 15 mm.
The Western Suburbs also witnessed heavy showers, with Anand Nagar Municipal School recording 32 mm, while Dindoshi Vasahat and Dahisar each received 30 mm. Malawani Fire Station recorded 26 mm during the same period.
Speaking on the situation, a BMC official, Rhitik, said that civic authorities were yet to find a temporary solution to the severe waterlogging at the site.
“We have not been able to find a temporary solution for this severe waterlogging. Our officers keep standing here to ensure vehicles don’t pass through. But some rickshaw drivers still try to get their vehicles across. A rickshaw got stuck here in the centre of the subway. His life was in danger. Two of our officers helped bring him out," he told ANI on Tuesday.
Another BMC official, Robert, said teams were working continuously to prevent vehicles from entering the flooded underpass.
“We are doing our best to ensure that no vehicles get inside the underpass. We are trying to protect as many people as possible," he told ANI.
The weather department has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 41-61 kmph and issued an orange nowcast warning for Mumbai and neighbouring districts. A red alert remains in place for Mumbai, its suburbs and Palghar for the day.
Meanwhile, local train services on the Trans-Harbour Line were suspended after soil erosion beneath the tracks between Turbhe and Kopar Khairane stations rendered both the Up and Down lines unsafe for operations.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, Mumbai’s suburban rail network and BEST bus services continued to operate normally, providing relief to commuters during the morning rush hours.
While the weather forecast agency has issued a red alert, they have also advised residents to remain cautious, avoid venturing into waterlogged areas, and follow updates issued by local authorities, as heavy rainfall activity is expected to continue over the next few hours.
Source: ANI