Red Alert in Mumbai as Heavy Rains Disrupt Trains, Force Exam Postponements

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for very heavy rainfall in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 20, a day after relentless downpours battered the city for the fifth straight day, flooding streets, halting trains, diverting flights, and forcing mass evacuations.

Key Developments:

• IMD Warning: The red alert covers Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, with forecasts of very heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds up to 60 kmph. The IMD said rainfall intensity is likely to ease from Thursday.

• Monorail Rescue: Over 782 passengers were evacuated Tuesday after two overcrowded monorail trains stalled mid-track due to a power failure. Some passengers reported suffocation, with one hospitalized in stable condition.

• Local Trains Restored: Services on Central Railway’s harbour line resumed after 15 hours of disruption. Western Railway trains are running 30–35 minutes late, and Central Railway’s mainline is delayed by up to 45 minutes.

• Flights Disrupted: At least eight flights were diverted on Tuesday as heavy rain reduced visibility. Terminals saw overcrowding amid delays and rebookings.

• University Exams Postponed: The University of Mumbai postponed all exams scheduled for August 20, citing student safety.

• Mithi River Near Danger Mark: The river swelled to 3.9 meters, prompting the evacuation of over 400 residents from Kurla’s Kranti Nagar slums.

• Casualties: At least 24 people have died in rain-related incidents across Maharashtra in the past four days, including five deaths on Tuesday. Over 1,550 people have been shifted to safer locations.

• Rumors Quashed: The BMC clarified that reports of school closures on Wednesday were false.

Mumbai recorded more than 200 mm of rain in just 11 hours on Tuesday, submerging key areas such as Kurla, Dadar, Andheri, and Sion. Civic officials said rescue and relief operations remain underway as more rain is forecast through midweek.