- Heavy rains cause flight cancellations and diversions at Mumbai airport.
- Maharashtra CM chairs high-level meeting to address flood situation.
- Waterlogging disrupts road and train traffic; relief efforts underway.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport faced severe disruptions due to heavy rains, leading to the cancellation of over 50 flights and the diversion of 51 more to other locations like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Indore. Runway operations were suspended for over an hour due to low visibility, prioritizing arrivals and adjusting schedules to accommodate the affected flights.
In response to the crisis, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde chaired a high-level meeting to address the flood situation, with an orange alert issued for the next 24 hours by the IMD. The city has seen over 300 mm of rain since last night, causing severe waterlogging and disrupting Central Railways services.
Mumbai Paralyzed by Rains: Flight Cancellations, Rail Disruptions, and Flood Alerts
Mumbai‘s relentless rains have severely impacted transportation, with over 50 flights cancelled and 51 others diverted due to low visibility and suspended runway operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The airport faced over an hour of halted operations, with arrivals now being prioritized and necessary adjustments made for diverted flights.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken decisive action by convening a high-level meeting to review the flood situation. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the next 24 hours, advising citizens to step out only if necessary. The CM emphasized that efforts are ongoing to clear waterlogged tracks and restore normal traffic flow.
The city has experienced over 300 mm of rain since last night, leading to significant waterlogging in key areas such as the elevated airport road, King Circle Matunga, and Kurla depot. This has disrupted not only road traffic but also suburban train services, with delays and cancellations affecting the daily commute of thousands of residents. High-capacity water pumps have been deployed to drain the tracks, and disaster management authorities are on high alert.
The Regional Meteorological Center has forecast moderate to intense spells of rain with wind speeds of 30-40 kmph for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad. The heavy rainfall has also highlighted the inadequacies in the city’s drainage system, drawing criticism from opposition leaders. In response, CM Shinde has ordered all relevant agencies to expedite relief work and address the crisis swiftly.
As Mumbai grapples with the aftermath of the heavy rains, coordinated efforts by government agencies and disaster management teams aim to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this period of intense weather activity.
“Since last night, Mumbai has received 300mm rain, around 200 water pumps of the Railways and more than 400 BMC water pumps are in service to drain out water.” – Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde
