The monsoon has once again turned ferocious in Mumbai. From Tuesday night through the early hours of Wednesday, intense rain hammered the metropolis and slowed it to a crawl. Low-lying neighbourhoods went under water, roads turned into ponds and movement choked up on several stretches. The situation deteriorated to the point where the Andheri subway had to be closed to vehicles, while water also flooded a number of other underpasses and roads. The BMC has urged residents to stay cautious, keep away from waterlogged areas and take the administration's warnings seriously.
A Life At Risk In Andheri, Saved By Two Workers
According to the BMC, so much water collected in the Andheri subway that it had to be shut to vehicles temporarily. The relentless rain pushed the water level up rapidly, and passing through became dangerous for any vehicle. Civic officials were deployed at the spot to make sure no driver ventured into the flooded underpass.
BMC official Ritik, who was present at the location, said no immediate temporary fix has been found for the waterlogging at the Andheri subway. He said officials are standing there continuously to stop people, yet some drivers still refuse to back down from taking the risk. According to Ritik, an auto rickshaw driver got stuck right in the middle of the subway and his life was in danger. Two BMC workers later waded into the water and pulled him out safely. Officials warn that such recklessness can prove fatal, which is why citizens must strictly follow instructions.
Water Everywhere Across The City
The downpour's impact was not limited to Andheri. Images of waterlogging emerged from several parts of the city. Another subway in the metropolis filled up with water, after which pedestrian movement there was stopped. On the Eastern Express Highway too, vehicles were seen crawling through the standing water and rain. Low visibility and slippery surfaces slowed traffic. In the Sion area, some children and teenagers were spotted enjoying the rain amid the flooding, though the administration has advised people to stay alert in such conditions.
The Numbers Behind The Deluge
The rainfall figures lay bare the gravity of the situation. Between 8 am and 11 pm on June 23, Mumbai city recorded an average of 56 mm of rain. Over the same window, the eastern suburbs logged 23 mm and the western suburbs 33 mm. Late at night, the rain intensified further. According to figures from 8 am on June 23 to 2 am on June 24, the city received 78 mm, the eastern suburbs 87 mm and the western suburbs 113 mm. That makes it clear the western suburbs bore the brunt.
Between 10 pm and 11 pm, several pockets of the western suburbs saw heavy rain. The Charkop Sector-1 Municipal School in Kandivali recorded 32 mm, the MHB Municipal School in Malad 28 mm, the Gajdharband Storm Water Pumping Station 26 mm, the Juhu Dispensary and Banana Leaf area 22 mm, and the Nariyalwadi School in Santacruz 21 mm. Meanwhile, between 1 am and 2 am early Wednesday, the Bhandup Complex in the eastern suburbs recorded 40 mm and the Anand Nagar Municipal School area in the western suburbs 32 mm.
Trans-Harbour Trains Halted, BEST Routes Diverted
The rain also hit the local transport network. Local train services on the Trans-Harbour line were temporarily suspended. The soil beneath the tracks between Turbhe and Koparkhairane stations was washed away, leaving both the up and down lines unsafe for traffic. Central Railway halted train movement on this stretch and began repair and restoration work. Passengers have been advised to use alternative means of travel.
The public bus service BEST also felt the impact. Buses were diverted on several routes due to waterlogging. BEST has urged commuters to check the status of their route before leaving home. Officials have appealed to people to keep track of real-time information through the website, helpline or official updates.
Tree Crashes Onto Car In Dadar, Major Mishap Averted
Meanwhile, near the eastern side of Dadar station, a tree fell on a car and badly damaged the vehicle. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. A fire brigade team reached the spot and got to work cutting and clearing the tree. The episode is a reminder that during continuous rain, the danger is not just from waterlogging but also from falling trees and structural damage.
The BMC says that apart from Andheri, most other subways are operational for now and the city's main railway services are running normally, but conditions could change quickly given the weather. The administration has appealed to people not to step out unless necessary, stay away from waterlogged routes, avoid trying to use closed underpasses or roads, and contact the civic body or disaster control room immediately in any emergency.
Weather Office Sounds The Alarm
The weather office has issued a warning for Mumbai and surrounding areas. The IMD had earlier issued a red alert for Mumbai, its suburbs and Palghar. Later, in a nowcast issued at 7 am, an orange warning was put out for the next three hours for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Sindhudurg, flagging the possibility of moderate to intense rain. The IMD has also said winds of 41 to 61 km per hour could blow across Mumbai, with thunderstorm activity likely.
