Mumbai and large parts of Maharashtra, including Pune, have been reeling under relentless rainfall for the past two days, resulting in multiple fatalities, widespread flooding, and the disruption of daily life. Roads, subways, and rail tracks were left waterlogged, while flight operations were severely affected.
In Mumbai, the financial capital, local train services — considered the city’s lifeline — were suspended, while schools, colleges, and government offices were ordered shut on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued a red alert for both Mumbai and Pune.
According to meteorologists, the downpour has been triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and the strengthening of monsoon currents.
Maharashtra Rains: Key Developments
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Casualties and Displacement: At least six people have lost their lives and hundreds have been displaced across Maharashtra in the last 48 hours, officials confirmed.
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Mumbai Paralyzed: Torrential rain submerged low-lying areas, slowed road traffic, and halted local train services. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after reviewing the situation, warned that the next 48 hours are “crucial” for districts including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, all of which remain on high alert.
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Record Rainfall: Mumbai received over 200 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with Vikhroli in the eastern suburbs recording 255.5 mm. Reports suggest that Mumbai and its adjoining areas received as much as 500 mm of rainfall over 84 hours till Monday.
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Fatal Incidents in Mumbai: Two deaths were reported in the city — a 75-year-old watchman was killed in a wall collapse on Nepean Sea Road, while another man died of electrocution in Kanjurmarg.
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Nanded Among the Worst Hit: Over 290 people were rescued from flood-affected villages in Nanded district, where the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Army have been deployed. Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan reported nine deaths in Nanded alone, bringing the state’s total rain-related death toll to 12, though figures vary across reports.
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Pune Under Red Alert: Authorities issued a red alert for August 19 in Pune, particularly warning of heavy rainfall in the ghats accompanied by strong winds. Residents have been urged to exercise caution.
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Schools and Offices Shut: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared Tuesday a holiday for government and semi-government offices, while urging private offices to allow employees to work from home. Schools remained shut for two consecutive days.
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Mithi River Crosses Danger Mark: The river overflowed, flooding densely populated areas such as Kurla and Sakinaka, as well as railway tracks near Mumbai airport. Evacuations were carried out in Kurla’s Kranti Nagar.
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Rivers Swell Across Western Maharashtra and Konkan: Heavy inflows forced the Radhanagari dam in Kolhapur to release 11,500 cusecs of water, pushing the Panchganga River above danger levels for the fifth time this season. In Raigad’s Roha taluka, over 160 mm of rainfall was recorded, with both the Kundalika and Savitri rivers breaching danger marks.
Weather Outlook
The IMD has forecast continued intense rainfall for Konkan, including Mumbai, and parts of central Maharashtra over the next two days. An orange alert has been issued for Marathwada and Vidarbha, where rainfall intensity is expected to ease later this week.
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