Heavy Rains Lash Mumbai, Disrupting Commute and Raising Flood Concerns

Mumbai, Maharashtra, September 15, 2025

Mumbaikars woke up to a rain-soaked Monday morning as heavy overnight showers continued to lash the city, leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The relentless downpour, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, has once again brought the city’s notoriously congested roads and suburban rail network to a grinding halt, raising concerns about the city’s monsoon preparedness. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning of "heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places" for Mumbai and its suburbs, forecasting intense spells for the next several hours. According to the IMD, the Colaba observatory recorded the highest rainfall, with over 88 mm of precipitation between Sunday evening and Monday morning. Other parts of the city, including Bandra, Byculla, and Juhu, also received significant rainfall, leading to inundation in low-lying areas. The most significant impact of the downpour was on the city's lifeline—the local train network. Waterlogging on tracks at key junctions like Kurla on the Central Railway and Bandra on the Western Railway caused delays, affecting millions of daily commuters. Road traffic was equally chaotic, with water-filled potholes and flooded streets slowing down the morning office rush hour. Civic officials have deployed pumps to drain the waterlogged areas, but the sheer volume of rainfall has made their efforts challenging. While the city's spirit remains undeterred, the recurring flood events highlight the persistent challenges posed by Mumbai's aging infrastructure and limited drainage capacity. The frequent flooding during the monsoon season has been a source of public frustration for years, prompting calls for long-term solutions, including a more resilient drainage system and stricter regulations on urban development. The administration has appealed to citizens to exercise caution and avoid waterlogged routes, while also emphasizing that a comprehensive action plan is in place to mitigate the effects of the heavy rains.