Heavy Monsoon Rains Lash Mumbai and Pune, Disrupting Daily Life
Mumbai/Pune, Maharashtra – Incessant and heavy rainfall has battered Maharashtra’s key cities of Mumbai and Pune over the past 24 to 48 hours, bringing daily life to a standstill, causing widespread waterlogging, and prompting authorities to issue high alerts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the intensified downpour to active monsoon conditions, fueled by cyclonic circulations over the region.
Mumbai, the financial capital, bore the brunt of the heavy showers on Monday, June 16, 2025. Low-lying areas across the city experienced significant waterlogging, turning roads into virtual rivers and severely impacting vehicular movement. Commuters faced considerable delays as traffic crawled through submerged streets.
The city’s lifeline, the suburban train network, also faced disruptions. Both Central and Western Railway lines reported delays of 20 to 30 minutes during peak hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Mumbai Metro services on the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova line were briefly affected when a plastic sheet, dislodged by strong winds from a nearby construction site, landed on overhead wires at Azad Nagar station. Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) were also impacted, with airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet issuing travel advisories and warning of potential delays due to the inclement weather and reduced visibility.
Rainfall figures in Mumbai were substantial. The IMD’s Colaba observatory recorded 100.4 mm of rain, while Santacruz registered 86 mm in the 24 hours ending Monday, 8:30 AM. Several automated weather stations reported even higher localized figures, with Wadala logging 161.4 mm, Matunga 147.55 mm, BKC 92 mm, and Khar East 86 mm in a 10-hour period.
Pune and its surrounding regions also experienced a deluge. The IMD issued a ‘Red’ alert for Raigad and the ghat (hilly) areas of Pune and Satara districts, forecasting “extremely heavy rainfall.” Varandha Ghat Shirgaon area in Pune district recorded a massive 113 mm of rain, while Mutha Ghat leading to Lavasa also received a steady drizzle.
The persistent rains have led to broader implications across Maharashtra. Authorities have reported 18 rain-related deaths and 65 injuries since the monsoon’s onset on June 1st, highlighting the severity of the situation. Some rivers in the Konkan region and other parts of Maharashtra are overflowing, leading to flood-like situations in low-lying villages and towns along their banks.
In light of the ongoing heavy rainfall, schools in both Mumbai and Pune declared holidays on Monday, prioritizing the safety of students and staff. Civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. The state emergency operations centre is in constant touch with district administrations, directing them to be prepared for relief and rescue operations.
The IMD has indicated that while the intensity of rain might decrease slightly in Mumbai and Thane on Tuesday and Wednesday, moderate rainfall is still expected. Residents are advised to stay updated with official advisories and exercise caution while venturing outdoors.