Mumbai, May 26 – The monsoon has officially arrived in Maharashtra, and with it, Mumbai is reeling under heavy rainfall, waterlogged roads, and severe disruption to daily life. From local trains running behind schedule to grounded flights and traffic crawling through submerged roads, the city’s much-awaited rains have quickly turned into a chaotic ordeal.
Waterlogged Roads, Choked Rail Lines
Multiple key locations across Mumbai—JJ Flyover, Wadala RTO, Kurla, Sion, Dadar, and Parel—have reported significant waterlogging. Visuals from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) show vehicles moving at a snail’s pace, while low-lying areas remain submerged in rainwater.
Mumbai’s famed suburban railway network hasn’t been spared either. The Central Railway’s slow trains toward Kalyan are delayed by about five minutes, while fast trains heading to CSMT are running 10 minutes late due to water on tracks. Western and Harbour line services have also been affected in patches.
Flights Delayed, Airlines Issue Advisories
Air travel is equally impacted. SpiceJet and Air India have both issued advisories warning passengers about potential delays in arrival and departure due to adverse weather conditions. Passengers have been urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Early Monsoon Breaks 35-Year Record
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the southwest monsoon made landfall in Maharashtra on May 26, marking the earliest onset in over three decades. The last such early arrival was in 1990, when monsoon reached Maharashtra on May 20.
According to IMD scientist Dr. Sushma Nair, the monsoon has already covered parts of the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and the northern Bay of Bengal. The current northern limit of the monsoon passes through Devgad, Belagavi, Mandya, Chennai, Aizawl, and Kohima, indicating rapid progress.
Conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into Mumbai, Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, and more northeastern states over the next three days, the IMD added.
Storm Warnings Issued: Yellow and Orange Alerts
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, while an orange alert is in place for Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Over the next 3–4 hours, the IMD forecasts thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds ranging between 50–60 kmph across Mumbai, Raigad, and Thane.
BMC Urges Caution as 96 Buildings Declared Unsafe
In response to the worsening conditions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has advised residents to venture out only if absolutely necessary. The civic body, along with MHADA, has identified 96 buildings as dangerous and has already relocated over 3,100 residents to safer areas.
With the city’s infrastructure under pressure, authorities are on high alert as more rainfall is expected in the coming days.
Outlook
While Mumbaikars are no strangers to torrential downpours, the early onset of the monsoon and the intensity of the rainfall have caught many off guard. With warnings of continued rain and strong winds, residents are advised to stay updated with official weather bulletins and take necessary precautions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
