Continuous rainfall over three days has significantly affected Mumbai and its suburbs, effectively cutting off the city from major transport routes. As of Monday morning, critical highways, including the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway, and the Mumbai–Konkan route, have either been closed or restricted, halting intercity travel.

The Mumbai–Pune Expressway has experienced the most severe impact, with a landslide occurring near Tunnel 2. This event caused a diversion on the Pune–Mumbai carriageway of the recently opened ‘Missing Link’ bypass, which is a 13-kilometre route through the Sahyadri mountains. Nearly 100 tonnes of debris fell, marking a rarely seen incident for this location, according to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

While three lanes towards Pune have been cleared, only one lane towards Mumbai has reopened. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad route is plagued by extensive waterlogging, and efforts to alleviate the flooding are ongoing, but traffic remains slow. Meanwhile, the Konkan route is facing similar challenges, with severe waterlogging stranding commuters for over 24 hours.

Train Services Halted Amidst Landslides

Train services connecting Pune and Mumbai have also been suspended due to landslides that have blocked key sections of the track. Debris has fallen onto railway lines at both the Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill areas, halting trains en route from Gujarat and leaving passengers stuck in coaches for extended periods.

More than 20 long-distance trains on the Western Railway are stranded in and around Mumbai as a result of the weather, impacting over 40 services. At least ten trains have been cancelled, while eight have been rescheduled, and several others have been diverted to different routes.

Casualties and Damage Reported

Rescue efforts have not been without risks; a fireman was injured while attempting to clear debris from an uprooted tree in Thane. Reports indicate that strong winds have caused damage in Palghar, uprooting trees and destroying structures, with some areas recording nearly 300 mm of rainfall in a two-hour period by 9 am on Monday.

In light of the extreme weather, both houses of the state legislature were adjourned. The Bombay High Court guaranteed that no negative orders would be issued against lawyers unable to reach the court due to the conditions.

Further Rain Expected Forecasting Worsening Conditions

The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning that the situation may worsen, forecasting two additional days of heavy rainfall. A red alert has been enacted for regions including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Nashik, and Trimbakeshwar, indicating possible cloudburst conditions with rainfall exceeding 300 mm in isolated areas.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting the potential for a cloudburst in parts of Nashik and assuring that the state government would closely monitor developments until at least July 8.

In response to the ongoing crisis, National Disaster Response Force teams have been strategically positioned in vulnerable areas, and State Disaster Response Force teams have been redeployed according to the latest alerts. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay indoors as much as possible.

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