By MUMBAI, India: Life in Mumbai was severely disrupted following a six-hour heavy monsoon downpour on Monday, with the city receiving 11.8 inches of rain by 7 am, according to civic officials.
Impact on Daily Life and Infrastructure
More than two million residents have been affected across various areas due to overflowing rivers. The heavy rains also led to flight disruptions, school closures, and college shutdowns in the metropolis.
With forecasts predicting further heavy showers and a high tide of 4.40 meters (14 feet), authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges as a precaution.
Traffic Chaos and Railway Disruptions
Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, emphasized the severe traffic congestion and disruptions on the railway lines. “There is heavy traffic on the roads, and rail lines are also affected,” Shinde said on X, urging residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Commuters were seen wading through knee-deep water, with many vehicles partially submerged. Traffic on the Eastern and Western Express highways was heavily congested. Waterlogged tracks forced the cancellation of some long-distance trains, with images showing suburban passenger trains halted on flooded lines.
Airport Operations and Flight Disruptions
The heavy rainfall and low visibility led to the suspension of runway operations at the airport for over an hour. According to sources, more than 300 flights were delayed, and 36 flights were canceled, as reported by Flightradar24. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, confirmed disruptions to its Mumbai flights, while SpiceJet also warned of potential delays due to the adverse weather conditions.
Regional Flooding and Disaster Impact
The heavy rains follow record-breaking showers in New Delhi, which recently saw the collapse of an airport roof. Torrential monsoon rains have triggered floods and landslides in northern and eastern India and neighboring Nepal, where at least 11 fatalities have been reported.
In Assam, over two million people have been affected by river flooding. Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros, saw six rhinos drown in the floods. State authorities reported that 66 people have lost their lives in flood-related incidents since May.
In Uttar Pradesh, 31 villages near the Nepal border have also been inundated by floods, the state government confirmed.
