Mumbai and Pune Grapple with Heavy Monsoon Rains as IMD Predicts More Downpour
Mumbai and Pune, along with several other Indian cities, are grappling with torrential downpours as the southwest monsoon gains momentum, bringing urban life to a near standstill. Waterlogged thoroughfares have snarled traffic, while delays in suburban trains and metro services have disrupted work and schooling.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has flagged orange and red warnings across Maharashtra, with Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar under orange alert and Raigad facing red alerts—signalling the potential for extremely heavy rainfall. Between Sunday evening and Monday morning, Mumbai recorded an average rainfall of 95 mm, with Colaba receiving over 100 mm. Similarly, Pune and surrounding ghat regions remain under orange alert, expected to record continued showers through mid-week.
In the financial capital, persistent rain has led to widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas of Kurla, Lower Parel, Colaba, and Bandra, triggering gridlocked roads and travel chaos. Essential public transit systems—including Mumbai’s Central and Western suburban lines and the Ghatkopar–Andheri–Versova metro corridor—are experiencing delays up to 30 minutes, with incidents of debris impacting overhead wires.
Flight schedules are also feeling the strain. IndiGo and SpiceJet have issued travel advisories urging passengers to allow extra time for check-in as ground traffic slows and runway visibility deteriorates. Despite these disruptions, major airports continue to operate with caution rather than suspension. In Pune, schools have preemptively declared holidays due to safety concerns, particularly as several ghat area roads suffer flash waterlogging. Two dams—Khadakwasla and Lavale—have received critical inflows, alleviating water stress but signalling rising flood risks.
The IMD attributes the intense rainfall to an active upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal and enhanced monsoon trough over central India. This resurgence of monsoon activity follows a brief lull in rainfall during early June. Forecasts indicate that this deep monsoon pattern will persist through late June, with above-average rainfall expected—a positive sign for agriculture and groundwater recharge, though it raises concerns for urban resilience.
Urban planners and sustainability experts caution that Mumbai and Pune lack the infrastructure needed to cope with such intensity. Despite annual pre-monsoon repairs, an official from the Pune Municipal Corporation expressed concern that even moderate rainfall leads to waterlogging, underscoring systemic deficiencies. A senior municipal engineer in Mumbai echoed this, noting that decades-old drainage systems, combined with unregulated urban sprawl and clogged waterways, are ill-equipped to manage extreme rainfall. Civic authorities have responded by clearing drains, deploying emergency teams in flood-prone zones, and cautioning residents via SMS and local media. High-tide alerts on the coast have prompted mobile barricades along sea-facing roads. Nonetheless, analysts argue that short-term fixes—despite their necessity—are merely reactive. Strategic investments in green infrastructure, permeable pavements, and sensor-based water-level monitoring are critical to building long-term resilience and reducing carbon emissions linked to flood-related delays and traffic congestion.
Public advocacy groups point out that such extreme rainfall events—amplified by climate change—demand a paradigm shift. “Cities must embrace sustainable urban drainage systems and real-time alert networks,” said an urban resilience expert. These initiatives align with India’s drive towards net-zero carbon emissions and equitable, eco-friendly urban centres. With the monsoon expected to intensify by June 18–21, coastal and hilly regions must remain alert. The IMD has issued advisories urging fishermen to avoid venturing into storm-prone waters and residents to minimise unnecessary travel. As India’s monsoon reasserts itself, the immediate focus remains on managing its impact on daily life. Yet, the events unfolding in Mumbai and Pune serve as a stark reminder: sustainable, low-carbon cities require more than emergency responses—they demand foresight, planning, and resilient infrastructure to withstand the challenges of a volatile climate.
