Mumbai experiences a fifth day of flooding, with red alerts issued and public transport severely impacted by relentless monsoon rain.
Over 780 passengers rescued after two stuck Monorail trains caused panic amid Mumbai’s continuous downpour and waterlogging.
At least six dead, five missing across Maharashtra; NDRF and SDRF teams deployed for widespread rescue and relief operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert of very heavy rains for Mumbai for August 20 and predicted that the intensity of rainfall in the metropolis will go down from August 21, 2025.
The rains battered the financial capital for the fifth consecutive day, impairing trains, flight operations due to flooding and causing evacuation drives in low-lying areas, underscoring the financial capital’s annual challenge in the monsoon rains.
About 782 passengers were rescued on the evening of August 19, 2025 after two overcrowded Monorail trains on elevated tracks got stuck between stations in Mumbai on a day of incessant rains, causing panic and frantic rescue efforts.
The IMD has issued a red alert for neighbouring districts — Thane, Palghar and Nashik — warning of intense downpours in the coming hours. According to the latest nowcast, Mumbai remains under a yellow alert until 1 pm, while the adjoining districts are expected to receive heavy rain, reported HT.
The continuous rains have led to severe flooding across the city, forcing the cancellation of several local train services and disrupting daily life. Authorities have urged commuters to stay updated on train schedules and plan their journeys cautiously due to the dangerously high water levels in several areas.
Airlines, including IndiGo and SpiceJet, informed passengers that flight operations could be impacted by the weather, while several local train services were also hit as a result of extensive waterlogging.
At least six people were killed due to heavy rainfall and flooding across different districts of Maharashtra in the past 24 hours, while five people remain missing in Nanded district, according to the Maharashtra Disaster Management Department.
A total of 18 NDRF teams and six SDRF teams have been deployed in various parts of the state. In Nanded’s Mukhed area, SDRF personnel rescued 293 people, according to PTI.
Due to heavy rainfall in parts of Mumbai, Goa and Pune, Akasa Air said that the passengers might experience “slow-moving traffic and congestion” on routes to the airport.
The airline advised the passengers to plan accordingly.
Western Railway Services Impacted
Sharing updates about the current situation, the Western Railways wrote on Twitter, “Despite heavy and continuous rainfall over the past few days & last night, Western Railway suburban train services are running across the Churchgate-Dahanu Road Suburban Section with delays of 20–25 minutes.”
“Waterlogging has been reported at Vasai Road station, and local trains on the Up Fast line are operating with caution and restricted speed,” it added.
Why does it rain heavily in Mumbai?
Experts suggest that climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall events and stressed the urgent need for early warning systems and adaptation strategies.
Subimal Ghosh, Institute Chair Professor at IIT Bombay, told The Hindu that improving early warning systems is the only way forward.
