Mumbai's Record August Rainfall Brings City to a Standstill
Mumbai is grappling with one of its heaviest and longest rain spells in recent years, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion, and power outages. The city's August rainfall has surpassed the average, making it the wettest August in five years.
MumbaiRainfallFloodingTransportEvacuationsReal Estate MumbaiAug 20, 2025
NEW DELHI: Mumbai endured another day of relentless rainfall on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) red alert proving spot-on. The downpour, part of one of the city’s longest and heaviest rain spells in recent years, has pushed the city’s August rainfall to 891 mm, well above the average of 560.8 mm, making it the wettest August in five years.
So far, the monsoon season total has crossed 2,193.2 mm, exceeding the average of 2,101.8 mm. The intense rain left Mumbai and its metropolitan region grappling with waterlogging, traffic snarls, power outages, flight diversions, and mass evacuations. Chincholi in Malad recorded a staggering 361 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, among the highest across the city.
Several other areas, including Dadar, Wadala, Sion, Powai, Vikhroli, and Chembur, received 200–300 mm of rain, while Vasai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai reported triple-digit showers.
Mumbai Rain at a Glance
- BEST diverted 135 bus routes due to severe waterlogging across the city.
- Suburban trains on Central and Harbour lines faced major suspension; services restored by 8.30 pm.
- Two Monorail rakes stalled due to overcrowding, leaving hundreds trapped; 582 passengers rescued.
- Around 400 residents evacuated from Kurla’s low-lying slums as Mithi river neared danger mark of 4.2 m.
- Landslides injured a 70-year-old resident in Thane; residents shifted from Vikhroli and Bhandup.
- Flights delayed/diverted: 11 departures rerouted, 24 arrivals aborted landing.
- Power outages reported in Kurla, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Kandivli, Ghatkopar, Vile Parle, Mira Road.
Transport Gridlock and Commuter Woes
BEST faced one of its largest-ever operational disruptions in recent years, diverting 135 bus routes due to waterlogged roads. Suburban train services were severely affected: the Central Railway suspended the CSMT-Thane corridor and the Harbour line between CSMT-Mankhurd and Chunabhatti around 11.45 am. Water levels on tracks reached 11 inches on the Main line and 19 inches on the Harbour line, far exceeding safe limits.
Services were gradually restored, with the Harbour line fully operational by 8.30 pm. Shuttle services continued between Mankhurd-Panvel, Thane-Karjat, and Kasara to ease commuter movement. Hundreds of passengers were stranded in compartments, with some forced to jump onto slippery tracks. BMC staff provided food, water, and assistance at stations.
The Monorail also suffered major disruptions. Two rakes stalled due to power cuts caused by overcrowding, leaving hundreds trapped for hours. In one instance, 582 passengers were rescued, with several treated for suffocation. Fire Brigade personnel used cranes and rescue tools to bring down stranded commuters, while MMRDA confirmed the technical failure resulted from the total weight exceeding design limits.
Flights were partially affected, with 11 departures diverted and 24 arrivals forced to abort landing between midnight and 7 pm. Cascading delays impacted schedules throughout the day.
Flooding, Evacuations, and Casualties
Rising water levels of Mithi river forced the evacuation of 400 residents from low-lying areas in Kurla, while 500 residents in Panvel and 15 families in Uttan, Mira Bhayander, were moved to safer locations. Landslide-prone areas like Surya Nagar in Vikhroli and Khindipada in Bhandup saw residents shifted to SRA buildings. In Thane’s Lokmanya Nagar, a 70-year-old man was injured in a landslide. Tragically, a man in Bhandup (W) was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire at LBS Marg. Police and locals had cautioned passersby as sparks from the fallen overhead wire posed serious danger.
Across Maharashtra, the rains have taken a severe toll. Eight people died in a cloudburst in Mukhed taluka, Nanded, and 21 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents since Aug 15. Large-scale inundation affected 12–14 lakh hectares of farmland, causing crop losses. The state government activated NDRF and SDRF teams and advised district collectors to provide aid for life and property loss as per guidelines.
Impact on Civic Services
Schools and colleges in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Palghar were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. BMC declared holidays for government offices and advised private institutions to allow work from home. Power outages hit several suburbs, including Kurla, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Kandivli, Ghatkopar, Vile Parle, and Mira Road, following shutdowns at substations. Flight operations were partially disrupted, with 11 departures diverted and 24 arrivals forced to abort landing, leading to cascading delays throughout the day.
Auto and taxi refusals were rampant, adding to commuter woes. The city’s water reservoirs are nearing capacity. Modak Sagar is 97.8% full, Tansa 100%, and Vaitarna 97.2%. Mithi river, fed by Powai and Vihar lakes, remains a critical drainage channel, with only 75% of it desilted due to previous contract irregularities.
Weather Outlook
IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai on Wednesday, expecting rainfall to continue, albeit with slightly reduced intensity. Some relief is anticipated from Thursday, under a yellow alert, as the depression over the Bay of Bengal weakens into a well-marked low-pressure area.
Mumbai Rain Update: Rainfall Surpasses Annual Average
Rainfall in City (Tuesday)
Recorded at IMD’s main observatories (in mm):
- Colaba: 13.8 (3 hours till 11:30 am), 94.8 (6 hours till 2:30 pm), 151.4 (9 hours till 5:30 pm), 163.4 (12 hours till 8:30 pm)
- Santacruz: 29 (3 hours), 63 (6 hours), 67 (12 hours)
Recorded at IMD’s automatic weather stations in 10 hours till 6 pm (in mm):
- Marol: 194
- Vikhroli: 191
- Chakala: 190
- Andheri (E): 177
- Powai: 164
- Dadar: 127
- Sion: 119
- Wadala: 116
In 24 hours till 8:30 am (in mm):
- Santacruz: 238
- Thane: 224
- Navi Mumbai: 185
- Vasai: 219
- Ulhasnagar: 163
- Ambernath: 159
- Kalynagar: 146
- Palghar: 119
- Bhiwandi: 114
- Colaba: 110
Reservoirs & Water Levels
- Modak Sagar: 98% full, may overflow if heavy rain continues
- Vaitarna River: Residents and villages downstream advised to stay vigilant
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current rainfall situation in Mumbai?
Mumbai is experiencing one of its heaviest and longest rain spells in recent years, with August rainfall surpassing 891 mm, well above the average of 560.8 mm.
How has the rainfall affected transportation in Mumbai?
The rainfall has caused severe disruptions in transportation, including the diversion of 135 bus routes, suspension of suburban train services, and the stalling of Monorail rakes, leading to hundreds of passengers being stranded.
What measures have been taken to ensure the safety of residents?
The state government has activated NDRF and SDRF teams, and district collectors have been advised to provide aid for life and property loss. Around 400 residents have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Kurla.
How are the water reservoirs in Mumbai faring during this heavy rainfall?
The city’s water reservoirs are nearing capacity, with Modak Sagar at 97.8%, Tansa at 100%, and Vaitarna at 97.2%. Mithi river, fed by Powai and Vihar lakes, remains a critical drainage channel.
What is the weather outlook for Mumbai in the coming days?
IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai on Wednesday, expecting rainfall to continue with slightly reduced intensity. Some relief is anticipated from Thursday under a yellow alert.
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