Mumbai Soaked Again: Heavy Rains Bring Waterlogging, Flight Delays, and Traffic Chaos as IMD Issues Orange Alert

Mumbai: Mumbai faced another day of intense rainfall on Tuesday, with heavy showers pounding both western suburbs like Bandra, Andheri, and Goregaon and eastern parts including Mulund and Vikhroli. The sudden downpour lasting over half an hour caused waterlogging in several areas, leading to road closures and traffic diversions.

The Andheri Subway was among the first affected, with two feet of water accumulation forcing its closure. Mumbai Traffic Police confirmed that vehicles were diverted via Gokhale Bridge to ease congestion.

Amid the worsening weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Mumbai, warning of continued rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong winds. Similar alerts were also issued for nearby districts—orange for Thane and Pune, red for Raigad, and yellow for Palghar.

In its bulletin, the IMD predicted light to moderate rainfall over the next four days across Mumbai and its adjoining regions. Short-term forecasts for the next 3–4 hours included moderate showers in parts of Mumbai and Thane, with possible thunderstorm activity.

As waterlogging and poor visibility impacted daily life, commuters struggled through traffic snarls, particularly in low-lying areas. Authorities advised citizens to avoid coastal zones and flood-prone locations for safety.

Air travel was also affected, with multiple airlines issuing advisories to passengers. IndiGo, in a tweet, stated that heavy downpour had led to temporary disruptions in flight schedules, urging travelers to allow extra time for their journeys. SpiceJet and other carriers echoed similar warnings, noting potential delays in both arrivals and departures from Mumbai airport (BOM) due to the weather.

Travelers were advised to monitor real-time updates through airline websites and prepare for extended travel times on roads impacted by waterlogging and slow-moving traffic.