Mumbai Rains: Red Alert Issued, Schools Shut As Heavy-To-Very Heavy Rainfall Warning For Next 24 Hours

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai has issued a red alert for the city and its suburbs, predicting heavy-to-very heavy rainfall with chances of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. All schools and colleges in the city have been declared shut for Tuesday.

In its latest press release issued at 7 p.m. on July 8, the IMD stated that as per the latest observations, Mumbai city and suburbs are very likely to experience intense spells of rain during the next 3-4 hours.

Mumbai city and its suburbs experienced moderate-to-intense rainfall on Monday. Many parts of the city continued to experience heavy rainfall during the evening hours, with Colaba recording 110.5 mm of rainfall, Ram Mandir 48.5 mm, Byculla 73.5 mm, Chembur 57 mm and Sion 42 mm since 8:30 a.m.

The weather agency stated that these spells of heavy showers can lead to waterlogging or inundation in most parts of low-lying areas and river banks. It can also disrupt road, rail, air and ferry transport. Major roads and local trains can also be affected due to these heavy spells.

It has also suggested that there is a possibility of flash floods coinciding with high tide. Municipal services (water, electricity, etc.) are also likely to be affected. RMC has also mentioned that there is a possibility of landslides/mudslides in vulnerable hilly areas and rough sea conditions are expected along the coast.

The India Meteorological Department also updated its weather forecast and warnings for Mumbai and other nearby districts. The IMD issued a red alert for Mumbai on July 8 and has put the island city on yellow alert for the next few days. Neighbouring cities and districts like Thane, Palghar and Pune are also expected to witness heavy-to-very heavy rainfall for the next few days.

The city came to a standstill after heavy rains lashed it in the early morning hours on Monday. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation declared a holiday for all BMC, government and private schools and colleges in Mumbai due to heavy rains. The civic body had earlier announced a holiday for the first session, and later declared a holiday for the second session as well.

The local administration has urged people to step out of homes only if required.

There were multiple reports of waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services in some low-lying areas. Suburban services of the Central Railway were severely affected due to the waterlogging on tracks on both the main and harbour corridors. On the suburban side, too, local train services were hit.