Mumbai, India’s bustling financial capital, has been battling torrential rains that have shattered all previous records for July rainfall. The city experienced an unprecedented downpour on Wednesday, with a staggering 101.35 mm of rainfall between 8 am and 10 pm. While the eastern suburbs recorded 87.54 mm and the western suburbs received 102.55 mm during the same period, the intensity of the deluge prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to upgrade the alert level from ‘orange’ to ‘red’ for Mumbai, indicating the likelihood of heavy rainfall persisting until Thursday afternoon.
Schools and Colleges Shut in Mumbai
As the city grappled with the extreme weather conditions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) swung into action to ensure the safety of its citizens. In a significant move, the BMC declared a precautionary holiday for all government and private schools and colleges on July 27. The Municipal Commissioner and Administrator of BMC, Iqbal Singh Chahal, issued a statement, emphasizing the top priority of ensuring the safety of students amidst the adverse weather conditions.
The University of Mumbai, in line with BMC’s decision, took prompt action and canceled all scheduled examinations across the city on Thursday. The university assured students that the new exam dates would be announced later, allowing them to focus on their safety during this period of inclement weather.
Amid the relentless downpour, Mumbai witnessed significant disruptions in road traffic, with slow movement and challenges for daily commuters. The heavy rains posed a daunting test for the city’s transportation system. However, commendably, the local train services managed to defy the odds and continued their operations smoothly, maintaining a normal pace. The credit for this seamless service goes to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of the Western and Central Railways personnel, who braved the adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and convenience of the passengers. Despite the relentless deluge, the reliable train network emerged as a lifeline for the city, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges posed by the heavy monsoon showers
Despite the best efforts of the authorities, certain areas faced water logging issues due to the incessant rainfall. The Andheri subway, a crucial underpass between Andheri and Jogeshwari railway stations, has witnessed repeated closures since Wednesday morning. The municipal teams are working tirelessly to clear the water and ensure smooth traffic flow in the affected areas.
In the wake of these intense showers, Mumbai broke its all-time record for July rainfall. As of 8.30 pm on July 26, 2024, the Santacruz observatory recorded an astounding 1557.8 mm of rainfall during the month, surpassing the previous record of 1433 mm. This achievement underlines the severity of the current monsoon season and the challenges faced by the city’s infrastructure in handling such heavy rains.
As of the current date, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for Mumbai due to the relentless and continuous heavy rainfall that the city is experiencing. The ‘red alert’ is the highest level of warning, indicating extremely hazardous weather conditions that pose a significant threat to life and property. The situation demands constant vigilance and preparedness from both the residents and authorities to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of everyone in the affected areas.
The monsoon season is a critical period for Mumbai as it brings heavy rains, often leading to waterlogging, flooding, and disruptions in daily life. With the IMD’s ‘red alert’ in place, it becomes imperative for people to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and advisories issued by the authorities.
Mumbai residents are urged to take necessary precautions and avoid unnecessary travel during this period. As the city copes with the impact of this extraordinary rainfall, the collective efforts of citizens and authorities will be instrumental in minimizing disruptions and ensuring public safety.
