MUMBAI, India — India’s financial capital woke up to a crimson-coded weather warning Wednesday, forcing airlines, rail operators and city officials to scramble as monsoon downpours flooded streets and tracks from Mumbai to the neighboring coastal districts of Raigad and Ratnagiri. The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) red alert — its most severe warning — is in place through Wednesday night, with officials saying the next 48 hours remain critical for Mumbai and the wider Konkan belt.
Why the IMD’s Red Alert Matters for Travelers
The IMD classifies a red alert as a forecast for exceptionally heavy rainfall that can shut down normal life. On Tuesday alone, the deluge submerged arterial roads, paralyzing traffic from South Mumbai’s Marine Drive to the suburban business hub of Andheri. By dawn Wednesday:
- Local train services on Central Railway’s main and harbor corridors were either canceled or running on drastically curtailed schedules after several kilometers of track disappeared under water.
- Multiple airlines, led by IndiGo and SpiceJet, issued advisories urging passengers to allow extra time to reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and to monitor flight status online.
- Schools, colleges and most government offices shut their doors, while Bombay High Court suspended hearings after 12:30 p.m.
Flight Disruptions: What to Expect at BOM
Mumbai’s airport handled more than 990 daily movements last summer, but heavy rain and low visibility forced dozens of arrivals into holding patterns Tuesday night. Ground handlers reported crews needing additional tow time because several taxiways were water-logged. Travelers should note:
- Domestic carriers are offering free rebooking within the next seven days; terms vary by airline.
- Terminal 2’s metro-link walkways remain open, yet the expressway from Bandra can slow to a crawl during peak showers.
- International transfer desks are advising passengers to retain boarding passes until final sector confirmation to avoid immigration re-entry issues.
IndiGo and SpiceJet Advisories
In separate bulletins posted early Wednesday, both airlines warned that “continuous rains may impact departures and arrivals at Mumbai.” Travelers holding connecting itineraries through the city are advised to build extra lay-over time or reroute if possible.
Railway Gridlock Beyond the Suburbs
Mumbai’s sprawling suburban network moves nearly 7.5 million commuters on a typical weekday, so even minor waterlogging can ripple into day-long gridlock. Tuesday’s cloudburst submerged several stretches between Kurla and Tilak Nagar, forcing motormen to halt services until water receded below the track’s safety limit. Western Railway’s fast corridor remained operational, but trains crawled, adding up to 40 minutes to the Andheri-Churchgate run.
Monorail Rescue: 782 Passengers Evacuated
A separate drama unfolded high above the streets when two overcrowded monorail rakes lost traction and stalled between stations near Wadala. Emergency crews evacuated 782 passengers via harnesses and ladders. At least 13 riders complained of breathlessness when the air-conditioning cut out; one woman was hospitalized in stable condition.
Death Toll Rises Across Maharashtra
State disaster officials confirmed 21 fatalities in five days beginning August 15. Causes ranged from wall collapses to lightning strikes:
- Seven deaths occurred in Nanded district, largely from drowning.
- The daily breakdown: one death on August 15, three on August 16, seven on August 17, three on August 18 and six on August 19.
- Twelve livestock deaths and ten human injuries were also reported statewide.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after reviewing the crisis, warned that “the next 48 hours will be crucial,” Fadnavis said during a briefing Tuesday — as Konkan districts from Thane to Sindhudurg remained on high alert.
Weather Outlook: Relief on Thursday?
According to the IMD’s latest bulletin, rainfall intensity in Mumbai should ease Thursday, shifting the heaviest clouds south toward coastal Karnataka. Yet the agency maintained:
- A red alert for Raigad and Pune’s ghats through Wednesday night.
- An orange alert — signaling very heavy rain — for Thane, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
- Light to moderate showers for parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Tips for Travelers Navigating Mumbai’s Monsoon
- Check before you go: Airlines update flight status fastest on their mobile apps. Save the PNR screenshot for quick reference at airport security.
- Build buffer time: Highway flooding can double airport transfer times. The elevated sea link often remains the most reliable route when low-lying roads flood.
- Carry a power bank: Train cancellations may leave you stranded on platforms with overloaded charging kiosks.
- Stay hydrated, not stranded: Travel with bottled water and a light snack — kiosks frequently run out during weather disruptions.
- Mind footwear: Many sidewalks disappear under ankle-deep water; rubber sandals grip better than sneakers on mossy tiles.
FAQ
Are Mumbai schools closed?
Yes. The municipal corporation ordered all schools and colleges shut Wednesday. Updates for Thursday will follow the IMD’s noon forecast.
Is local rail service running?
Western Railway is operational with significant delays. Central Railway’s main and harbor lines have partial cancellations where tracks remain flooded.
Can I still reach Pune by road?
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway is open but prone to landslide-related slowdowns in the Lonavala ghat. Allow extra travel time or consider postponing travel until Thursday.
Which districts are on red alert?
Mumbai city, along with Raigad and the ghat sections of Pune district, remain under red alert through Wednesday night.
When will conditions improve?
The IMD projects a decrease in rainfall intensity over Mumbai from Thursday, but scattered heavy showers may persist through the weekend.
Bottom Line for Jetsetters
The 2025 monsoon may be delivering some spectacular rain-soaked photo ops, but travelers should treat the current red alert in Mumbai as more than a social-media backdrop. With 782 commuters already rescued from stalled monorails and 21 lives lost statewide since August 15, caution is the smarter travel companion. If you must connect through Mumbai mid-week, monitor airline advisories, allow generous layovers and keep an eye on the IMD’s bulletins until the city’s lifelines are back on schedule. — as Fadnavis said during a briefing Tuesday.
