Heavy rains hit Mumbai: Train services delayed, IMD issues red alert | WATCH

Mumbai: Continuous rainfall entered its fifth day in Mumbai on Wednesday, causing delays in train services, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert.

Train services disrupted

Western Railway announced that its suburban services were running with delays due to heavy rainfall.

"Despite heavy and continuous rainfall over the past few days & last night, Western Railway suburban train services are running across Churchgate - Dahanu Road Suburban Section with delays of 20–25 minutes. Waterlogging has been reported at Vasai Road station, and local trains on Up Fast line are operating with caution and restricted speed”, Western Railway posted on X (formerly Twitter). 

A number of long-distance trains faced short terminations or route changes. Western Railway announced on X: “Train No. 10115 Bandra Terminus - Madgaon Exp of 20.08.25 will short-originate ex Kaman Road station and cancel between Bandra Terminus and Kaman Road station”. 

Mumbai University postpones exams

The University of Mumbai, through a circular released late on Tuesday, announced that all examinations set for August 20 have been postponed. The directive applies to both the Summer 2025 and Winter 2025 sessions. New examination dates will be announced shortly.

Red alert in Maharashtra districts

IMD issued a red nowcast warning for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri districts, indicating intense to very intense rainfall spells accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph.

The warning is valid for the next three hours, and residents are advised to remain indoors and avoid venturing into low-lying or flood-prone areas.

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, with waterlogging and traffic disruptions expected.

Sagar and Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh are expected to experience heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms.

Rainfall data over Mumbai

The IMD also shared updated rainfall data recorded across Mumbai in the past 24 hours.

Taking to X, IMD psoted, "#Rainfall information over #Mumbai from 0830 hrs IST of 19th August to 0530 hrs IST of 20th August 2025 in mm- Vikhroli 223.5, Santacruz 206.6, Byculla 184.0, Juhu 148.5, Bandra 132.5, Colaba 100.2”

"#Red #Nowcast #warning for heavy rain accompanied with thunderstorm- #Maharashtra- Thane, Pune, Raigad #Madhya Pradesh- Sagar, Balaghat #Mumbai city #Orange Nowcast Warning for Mumbai Moderate spells of rain very likely," IMD posted on X.

IMD shared satellite imagery highlighting intense convection over several regions.

“Satellite imagery animation shows intense to very intense convection over : North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, north Konkan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, north east Odisha, south GWB, north Bay of Bengal,” IMD posted on X.

Flight operations affected

IndiGo Airlines, Akasa Air and SpiceJet have issued travel advisory in view of heavy rains in Mumbai.

“While we want your journey to be as hassle-free as possible, Mother Nature has her own plans. With heavy rains expected again in #Mumbai, there’s a chance this could lead to air traffic congestion and impact flight operations,” IndiGo posted on X.

Akasa Air has urged passengers to allow extra travel time due to weather-related traffic disruptions.

"Due to heavy rainfall in certain parts of Mumbai, Goa, and Pune, we anticipate slow moving traffic and congestion on roads leading to the airport. To ensure a seamless travel experience, we request you to plan for additional travel time to reach the airport well in time for your flight”, the statement read. 

SpiceJet also alerted passengers about possible delays and disruptions in Mumbai due to heavy rainfall. The airline posted on X: “Due to Bad Weather (Heavy Rainfall) at Mumbai (BOM), our departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status”. 

Casualties and rescue operations in Maharashtra

According to data released by the Maharashtra Disaster Management Department, six people have lost their lives in rain and flood-related issues in the last 24 hours in the state.

Five individuals are reported to be missing in the Nanded district due to a flood-like situation. A total of 18 teams of NDRF are positioned in various parts of the state, along with six teams of SDRF.

SDRF has rescued 293 individuals in Mukhed taluka of Nanded district. In the last 24 hours, 1 person has died in Beed, 1 person has died and 3 people have been injured in Mumbai, and 4 people have died and 5 people are missing in Nanded.

Red alert in Pune’s ghat areas

Meanwhile, authorities in Pune on Tuesday said a red alert will remain in place for the next two days in the Ghat areas as heavy rains continue to batter many parts of the city and the surrounding regions. Several areas of Pune city are also under an orange alert. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi told ANI,

"There is a Red Alert in Ghat areas. In the city and other areas of Pune, there has been an Orange Alert for the past 2 days. In the coming two days too, there is a Red Alert in Ghat areas and an Orange Alert in city areas. The situation is under control right now," he said.

He further said that the release of water from Khadakwasla and Pawna dams has been "increased a little because the water from the catchment area is coming directly into the dam", and noted both dams are "more than 95% full."

"We are planning in such a manner that the timing of the release of water and rainfall in the city should not coincide. Otherwise, the chances of a flood situation rise. Currently, our solution is to release the water slowly... No accident as such has been noticed in any of the areas. No road is blocked due to water. Water should be released only in coordination with the Irrigation Department and other Departments. So that flood situation doesn't form in any area," he added.

Holiday declared in Mumbai

Also, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday declared a holiday for all government and semi-government offices in Mumbai, advising private offices to allow employees to work from home except those in essential and emergency services.

(with inputs from ANI)