Deluge in the Maximum City: Mumbai Struggles Under Monsoon Onslaught Amid IMD Red Alert

Anjali SinghMay 27, 2025May 27, 2025

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Mumbai, a city that never sleeps, found itself at a standstill as the southwest monsoon arrived ahead of schedule with intense fury. On May 26, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a Red Alert for Mumbai and its adjoining districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. What followed was a day of chaos, with streets turning into streams, transport networks breaking down, and emergency services working round-the-clock.

Rainfall Breaks Historical Records

The Colaba observatory recorded 439 mm of rain in a span of 24 hours, a record-breaking figure not seen in the month of May since 1918. The Santacruz station, located in the suburbs, recorded over 70 mm within a few hours. The early arrival of the monsoon has stunned both residents and meteorologists, with such intensity of rainfall usually not expected before mid-June.

This abnormal weather event has been attributed to a deepening low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea, combined with high moisture content brought in by southwesterly winds. Experts are already discussing the implications of climate change, with more extreme and unpredictable weather becoming increasingly common.

City’s Lifelines Choked

Mumbai’s transport system, already overburdened, was thrown into disarray. The suburban rail network—Central, Western, and Harbour lines—faced massive disruptions. Tracks were submerged at key stations like Kurla, Masjid Bunder, and Dadar, forcing railway authorities to cancel or delay over 60 services.

On the roads, gridlock prevailed. The Eastern Express Highway, Western Express Highway, and Link Road witnessed hours-long traffic snarls. Waterlogged intersections in areas like King’s Circle, Sion, and Dahisar made driving virtually impossible. Motorists abandoned their vehicles, which in turn blocked already-congested roads.

BEST buses were rerouted, and private taxis and autos either hiked fares or stayed off the roads entirely. For many residents, getting home became a multi-hour ordeal.

Power Outages and Urban Paralysis

Several neighborhoods reported prolonged power outages, including parts of Mulund, Ghatkopar, Malad, and Sewri. Utility companies preemptively cut off electricity in some low-lying areas to avoid electrocution incidents, particularly where water levels had risen above knee height.

Water entered homes in ground-floor apartments, damaging appliances, electronics, and personal items. Many residents reported severe damage to vehicles parked in underground lots. In societies with poor drainage, basement-level storage rooms and garages were entirely submerged.

Civic Body Faces Harsh Scrutiny

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) faced harsh public criticism for its lack of preparedness. While civic officials claimed that monsoon preparedness work was 85% complete, residents and activists questioned these claims. In Hindmata, Lower Parel, and Milan Subway—frequent flood zones—the situation remained as dire as previous years.

Several newly built stormwater tanks failed to function. In some areas, dewatering pumps were found non-operational, and desilting work appeared incomplete. Social media was flooded with videos of civic officials inspecting flooded streets after the damage had already occurred.

Emergency Response Ramps Up

In response to the IMD’s Red Alert, schools and colleges were closed. The Maharashtra government urged companies to allow work-from-home arrangements. Rescue teams from the Fire Brigade and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to areas like Kurla, Mahul, and Versova.

More than 200 distress calls were received by Mumbai Fire Brigade, ranging from water rescues to house collapses. Relief camps were set up in municipal schools and community halls, where stranded citizens were provided with food, water, and medical care.

Medical Services Under Pressure

Hospitals, too, were affected. Ambulances were delayed due to flooded roads, and some clinics in low-lying areas suspended services. In a few private hospitals, backup generators failed, leading to emergency relocations of patients to upper floors.

Authorities are now prioritizing healthcare logistics, including maintaining oxygen supplies and ensuring power to intensive care units, especially in public hospitals like KEM and Nair.

Citizens Step Up

Amid the chaos, citizens once again stepped up. Volunteers distributed food packets and drinking water. Student groups created real-time flood maps to alert people about dangerous areas. WhatsApp groups and social media were abuzz with location-based alerts, emergency contact numbers, and shelter information.

This collective action served as a lifeline for many, especially for senior citizens, children, and the differently-abled who were stranded in flood-hit areas.

The Road Ahead

The IMD has warned of continued rainfall over the next three days, with the possibility of extremely heavy downpours in isolated areas. With tides expected to remain high, authorities are urging residents to remain indoors and stock up on essentials.

Mumbai must now reflect on long-term climate resilience. The city’s infrastructure, built for the 20th century, cannot withstand 21st-century climate challenges. From improved stormwater networks to stricter building codes, systemic change is essential to prevent future urban collapses.