Heavy Rains Shut Palghar Schools, Mumbai Braces for Deluge
Mumbai has been drenched in heavy rains since Saturday night, and the forecast warns that Monday will bring more downpours and thunderstorms, keeping residents on high alert across the city.
Maharashtra Braces for Heavy Rains: IMD Issues Red, Orange AlertsMumbai: Maharashtra continues to reel under relentless rainfall as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red and orange alerts across several districts on Monday, September 29, warning residents to brace for extreme weather conditions. For the third consecutive day, the state has been lashed by heavy showers, creating challenging conditions for commuters, residents, and authorities alike.
As of 6.32 am on Monday, districts including Nashik, Palghar, Thane, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad, and Pune were placed on a red alert. The IMD forecasted overcast skies with extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds. Residents in these areas were advised to stay indoors, avoid venturing into low-lying zones, and exercise extreme caution while commuting.
In addition, an orange alert—indicating very heavy rainfall with lightning and squalls—was declared for Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Bhandara, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Sindhudurg. The warning urged people to be alert and prepare for possible disruption in daily life.
For the remaining districts, including Gondia, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad, Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur, a yellow alert was issued. The yellow level is the second tier in the IMD’s four-tier warning system, indicating the need for vigilance and preparedness for moderate to heavy rainfall.
**Mumbai Reels Under Continuous Downpour**Since Saturday night, Mumbai has been experiencing unrelenting heavy rain. The city, known for its monsoon woes, faced intermittent heavy spells on Sunday, with some areas recording over 50 mm of rainfall between 8 am and 1 pm, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Low-lying areas and arterial roads were waterlogged in several parts of the metropolis, causing traffic snarls and delays in public transport.
Suburban trains, the lifeline of the city, faced disruptions due to water accumulation on tracks, while flights at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported delays and rescheduling. Local authorities have deployed pumps and additional staff to ensure smooth drainage and manage traffic congestion.
Residents expressed concern over the relentless rains. “It has been pouring continuously since Saturday night. Getting around the city is becoming difficult, and there’s anxiety about flooding in low-lying areas,” said a resident of Andheri. Meanwhile, the BMC urged citizens to follow advisories and avoid unnecessary travel.
**Precautions and Alerts Across Maharashtra**The IMD’s red alert indicates extremely severe rainfall conditions that may trigger flooding, landslides in hilly areas, and disruption to normal life. Citizens were advised to remain indoors, avoid venturing near rivers or waterlogged zones, and keep emergency numbers handy.
Orange alerts warn of potentially dangerous conditions, including strong winds, squalls, and thunderstorms, while yellow alerts serve as early warnings for moderate rainfall and possible localized flooding. Authorities across the state have urged residents to remain vigilant, keep emergency kits ready, and ensure safety measures, especially in rural and coastal areas prone to flooding.
With the monsoon still active, meteorologists have cautioned that the city and surrounding districts should prepare for continued rainfall throughout the day. Residents are advised to monitor updates from the IMD, follow local advisories, and stay alert to avoid accidents or disruptions.
As Maharashtra battles another round of heavy showers, the focus remains on preparedness, safety, and minimizing inconvenience to millions of residents.