The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red rain alert for Mumbai, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to declare a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city on Thursday. The BMC has urged schools to notify parents and take necessary precautions to ensure proper coordination and safety at the school level.
Several areas of Mumbai experienced significant rainfall between 4 am and 1 pm on Thursday. The Malpa Dongri area in Andheri recorded the highest rainfall at 157 mm, followed by Paspoli in Powai with 155 mm, and Dindoshi with 154 mm.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, addressing the heavy rainfall and flood-like situation in Pune, stated, “I am continuously monitoring the entire situation since morning. I have instructed the Collector, two inspectors, and the NDRF to provide all necessary facilities to those affected, including food packets and drinking water. I have also requested the Army to airlift people if needed. Now, the situation is under control, and rescue operations are underway.”
The IMD’s red alert for Mumbai and the nearby districts of Thane, Raigad, and Palghar indicates heavy to very heavy rain in some areas and extremely heavy rain in isolated spots throughout the day. This alert is in effect until 8:30 am on Friday. In the coastal Konkan region, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Ratnagiri district, predicting heavy to very heavy rain, and a yellow alert for Sindhudurg district for Thursday.
Overnight rainfall has disrupted public transport services and flight and train operations, causing significant inconvenience for citizens across Maharashtra. Heavy rain has also led to waterlogging in many low-lying areas of Mumbai and its suburbs.