Mumbai and its surrounding districts are reeling under relentless heavy rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for very heavy showers on August 20, 2025, warning of continued downpours that could exacerbate flooding and disruptions.
The Santacruz observatory, emblematic of the western suburbs, clocked a staggering 209 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Wednesday, while Colaba in south Mumbai recorded 107.4 mm during the same period. Other parts of the city weren't spared, with Vikhroli seeing 229.5 mm, Mumbai airport 208 mm, Byculla 193.5 mm, Juhu 150 mm, and Bandra 137.5 mm.
Neighboring areas faced even fiercer deluges: Matheran hill station in Raigad topped the charts at 382.5 mm, Mahabaleshwar in Satara at 278 mm, New Panvel in Raigad at 217.5 mm, Karjat in Raigad at 211.5 mm, Chiplun in Ratnagiri at 123.5 mm, and Bhayander in Thane at 100.5 mm.
The Thane Municipal Corporation reported 186.91 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, pushing the seasonal total to 2,327.14 mm—slightly below last year's 2,517.89 mm for the same period. Tragically, the incessant rains have led to fatalities and widespread havoc. In Thane district, a man named Aditya Singh lost his life after falling into a water-filled quarry in Rabale, Navi Mumbai, around midnight.
Floodwaters submerged the Runde bridge in Kalyan, prompting its closure and diversion of traffic via the Khadavli-Utarne route. A tree collapse in Wagle Estate at 3:40 am damaged a housing society's security wall, which was demolished to avert further risks, though no injuries occurred.
In adjoining Palghar, low-lying areas were inundated, forcing the relocation of residents to safer spots and temporary camps by rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Authorities rescued 194 people trapped in Vasai taluka using boats and ropes on Tuesday, while a poultry farm in Nanivali, Ambede, suffered devastating losses with nearly 5,000 chickens perishing due to flooding.
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Transportation across the region has been severely hampered. Local train services on multiple lines faced cancellations and delays due to waterlogging on tracks, stranding commuters. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India issued advisories urging passengers to allow extra time for commutes amid air traffic congestion and potential delays, with several flights diverted or postponed.
The IMD forecasts intermittent heavy showers persisting in Mumbai and adjacent districts through August 20, with a gradual decrease expected thereafter, leading to moderate rains over the next couple of days before a potential uptick around August 23-24—though not as intense as recent spells. Authorities remain on high alert, advising residents to exercise caution, avoid waterlogged areas, and stay updated via credible sources.
Social media users highlighted the city's unyielding spirit, with posts noting how Mumbaikars turn strangers into allies during such crises, even as visuals from iconic spots like the Gateway of India showed waves crashing amid the storm. As the monsoon fury continues, emergency teams are deployed, and locals are urged to refrain from sharing unverified information to prevent panic.
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