Heavy Rainfall Batters Mumbai: CM Fadnavis Warns of Critical 48 Hours Ahead
Mumbai is grappling with record rainfall, causing widespread flooding, travel disruptions, and a rising death toll. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued a red alert, emphasizing the next 48 hours as crucial for the city’s safety and preparedness.
MumbaiRainfallFloodRescue OperationsDevendra FadnavisReal Estate MaharashtraAug 19, 2025
The city received nearly 300 mm of rain in 24 hours, accounting for 37 per cent of Mumbai’s monthly average. Low-lying areas were submerged, railway tracks flooded, and flights delayed or cancelled. Local trains, considered the city’s lifeline, were badly hit as waterlogged tracks brought services to a crawl.
In several suburbs, roads turned into rivers. Cars were stranded, buses rerouted, and thousands waded through waist-deep water to reach home. Schools and colleges were shut on Wednesday, with the administration urging people to step out only if necessary.
Officials confirmed that at least eight people lost their lives in rain-related incidents, including house collapses and electrocutions. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed to carry out rescue operations. Around 2,500 people were evacuated from flood-prone parts of Thane and Raigad.
In Raigad, swelling rivers forced authorities to shift families to relief camps. In Ratnagiri, the district administration opened shelter homes for stranded passengers. Rescue boats and helicopters were kept ready as precautionary measures.
CM Fadnavis reviewed the situation with disaster management officials and said all agencies were on high alert. “The next 48 hours are crucial. I appeal to people to remain indoors as far as possible. The administration is working round the clock,” he said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) activated control rooms across the city and kept pumps running to drain water from flooded areas. More than 200 emergency workers were deployed to clear fallen trees and restore blocked roads.
Air travel was badly affected, with major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara reporting delays and cancellations. Passengers were advised to check flight status before heading to the airport. The Mumbai-Goa highway also witnessed traffic snarls due to waterlogging and landslides.
The IMD said the intense rain was caused by a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea, which had strengthened into a depression. “Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected over Konkan, Goa, and parts of central Maharashtra in the next two days,” the bulletin said. Authorities said water levels in major dams were rising rapidly and were being closely monitored. Citizens were urged not to spread rumours and rely only on official advisories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the heavy rainfall in Mumbai?
The heavy rainfall in Mumbai was caused by a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea, which strengthened into a depression, leading to very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Konkan, Goa, and parts of central Maharashtra.
How many districts are under red alert?
The red alert has been issued for several districts including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.
What are the main impacts of the heavy rain in Mumbai?
The main impacts of the heavy rain in Mumbai include widespread flooding, paralysed transport, delayed and cancelled flights, stranded vehicles, and the closure of schools and colleges.
How many people have been affected by the flooding?
Around 2,500 people have been evacuated from flood-prone areas in Thane and Raigad. Additionally, thousands of people have been affected by the flooding, with many wading through waist-deep water to reach home.
What is the advice from the Chief Minister?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to people to remain indoors as far as possible and to rely only on official advisories, emphasizing that the next 48 hours are crucial.
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