Mumbai: Mumbai’s relentless rains on Monday forced all city schools to operate on a half-day schedule, but the downpour also created distressing situations across the metropolis. Near the Matunga Police Station, a Don Bosco school bus carrying six children, two female staff members, and the driver got stranded in severe waterlogging at Gandhi Market, Sion.
The passengers were trapped for nearly an hour, but swift action by Matunga Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Pawar and his team ensured a safe rescue. According to police sources, “Within two minutes of reaching the scene, we were able to bring everyone to safety at the Matunga Police Station.” To comfort the young children, the officers provided them with biscuits and warm care, a gesture widely praised by locals.
The city’s traffic situation was equally chaotic. Severe congestion was reported on major arterial roads, including the Eastern Express Highway, while the Western Express Highway near Vile Parle witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic, with an ambulance stranded for a prolonged period. Social media videos captured the gridlock, highlighting the challenges faced by daily commuters amid continuous downpours.
Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and plan alternate routes while authorities work to manage waterlogging and restore normal traffic flow.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heavy rains will continue for at least the next three days across Mumbai and adjoining areas, including Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. The city remains under an Orange Alert, while Raigad and Palghar have been issued Red Alerts for extremely heavy rainfall on August 18 and 19, respectively.
