Mumbai : The financial capital witnessed its wettest August day in five years, as relentless monsoon showers lashed the city, flooding roads, disrupting transport, and forcing schools and offices to shut down. The Santacruz weather station recorded nearly 245 mm of rain in just 24 hours, accounting for almost half of the city’s monthly average rainfall.
Why Did Mumbai Receive Such Heavy Rain?
1. Weather Systems Collided
A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, combined with a shear zone and a cyclonic vortex near north Mumbai and Thane, intensified monsoon currents and triggered the extreme downpour.
2. Advance Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Thane and a red alert for Raigad, anticipating the heavy rainfall.
3. Urban Flooding Woes
The downpour overwhelmed Mumbai’s drainage system, leading to severe waterlogging across key areas like Goregaon, Andheri, and Kurla. Social media was flooded with images of submerged cars and stranded commuters, sparking criticism of civic preparedness.
4. Climate Change Factor
Experts pointed out that climate change is amplifying monsoon extremes, increasing the intensity and frequency of such rainfall events in Mumbai and other coastal cities.
Impact on the City
In just three days (Aug 17–19), Mumbai received nearly 37% of its average August rainfall.
Local train services and flights were delayed or suspended, bringing the city to a standstill.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for schools and colleges.
At least two people died in Mumbai and seven across Maharashtra in rain-related incidents, including a landslide in Vikhroli.
The swelling Mithi River forced evacuations in low-lying areas, with hundreds of residents shifted to safer zones.
The Road Ahead
The IMD has kept a red alert in place, warning of more intense rain spells in the coming days. With rivers swelling and civic systems stretched, authorities remain on high alert as Mumbai braces for further monsoon chaos.
