Monsoon lashes India: Rain cripples Mumbai, schools shut; several coastal states on alert

Heavy monsoon showers continued to lash Mumbai and large parts of Maharashtra on Saturday (July 4), triggering widespread waterlogging, disrupting rail, road and air traffic, and forcing civic authorities to shut schools and colleges for the afternoon session. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible flooding over the next 24 hours.

The relentless downpour since the early hours inundated several low-lying areas, including Bandra, Andheri, Kurla, Chembur, Sion, Matunga, Kings Circle, Byculla, Dadar and Vikhroli. Waterlogging slowed vehicular movement across major roads, while several subways, including the Andheri Subway, had to be temporarily closed after being submerged. Traffic police advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel as long queues of vehicles were reported across the city.

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced the closure of all schools and colleges for the afternoon session as a precautionary measure after the IMD upgraded its weather warning. Similar decisions were taken in neighbouring Thane and Palghar districts as authorities feared further deterioration in weather conditions.

Transportation hit

The IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across the Konkan region, including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, till Sunday (July 5). The weather agency has also warned of gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph and the possibility of localised flooding, tree falls and disruption to power supply. A high-tide warning has also been issued, raising concerns over waterlogging in coastal areas.

The rain severely impacted Mumbai's transport network. Several suburban local train services on the Central Railway were delayed due to waterlogged tracks and poor visibility. Long-distance trains, including the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express and a few special services, were rescheduled. Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were also affected, with delays and a handful of diversions reported because of adverse weather.

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The BMC said its emergency teams, disaster management units and pumping stations were working round the clock to clear waterlogged stretches. Officials added that the city's situation was being monitored through thousands of CCTV cameras installed across Mumbai, while emergency response teams remained on standby to tackle flooding and fallen trees.

Coastal states impacted

The weather system affecting Maharashtra has also intensified rainfall across several other parts of the country. In Gujarat, the IMD issued a red alert for districts including Navsari, Valsad and Dang, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and possible flood-like situations. Several rivers in the state are being closely monitored as water levels continue to rise.

Heavy rainfall was also reported from parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa, where authorities warned of landslides in vulnerable hilly regions. In Kerala, the IMD issued a Yellow Alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, forecasting isolated heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.

Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds lashed several parts of Kerala on Saturday, leading to a rise in water levels in rivers and dams, inundation in low-lying areas and damage to property.

In Palakkad district, compound walls of two houses collapsed following heavy rainfall, while northern parts of Kozhikode, particularly the high ranges, witnessed intense downpours. In Idukki district, authorities opened the shutters of the Pambla dam as a precaution after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas led to a rise in the reservoir's water level.

Monsoon spell in Bengal and Rajasthan

The active monsoon spell also intensified across eastern and north-western India. In West Bengal, Kolkata and several south Bengal districts received heavy rain through the day, with waterlogging reported in parts of the city and disruptions to road traffic.

The IMD warned of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in districts including South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore and Howrah, as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthened monsoon activity across the region. Authorities asked residents in low-lying areas to remain alert amid the possibility of localised flooding and overflowing drains.

The IMD has also issued a 'red' alert for five Odisha districts of Kandhamal, Boudh, Angul, Sambalpur, and Sonepur.

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In Rajasthan, the monsoon remained active across several eastern districts, with Jaipur, Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar receiving moderate to heavy showers. The IMD issued alerts for heavy rainfall in parts of the state and warned of a rise in river and dam water levels if the wet spell continues. Local administrations in vulnerable districts have been asked to monitor low-lying areas and keep disaster response teams on standby.

The rain also brought relief from the intense heat that had gripped much of Rajasthan over the past week, even as authorities cautioned residents about waterlogging, slippery roads and possible traffic disruptions.

In Delhi, light showers brought some relief from humid conditions, although the IMD has forecast thunderstorms and intermittent rain over the next few days as the southwest monsoon advances further across north India.

Forecast

The current spell of intense rainfall has been triggered by an active offshore trough along the western coast and a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which has strengthened monsoon activity across large parts of the country.

With the IMD forecasting continued heavy rainfall over the weekend, authorities have urged residents in affected states to avoid flooded roads, stay away from seafronts, follow official advisories and remain prepared for possible disruptions to transport and essential services.