Severe Rainfall in Mumbai Causes Fatalities and Major Disruptions

On September 25, 2024, Mumbai and its surrounding areas experienced severe rainfall that led to at least four fatalities and significant disruption to the daily life of the city’s residents, according to official sources. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted further heavy to very heavy rainfall for the region in the coming days, as articulated in statements released on Thursday, September 26.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reported a tragic incident in Andheri‘s MIDC area where a woman was rescued by the fire brigade only to be declared dead upon arrival at Cooper Hospital. Dr. Jyoti, the Chief Medical Officer at Cooper Hospital, confirmed that the woman was brought in deceased.

The impact of the rainfall was felt strongly across Mumbai, with the Western Express Highway, a vital traffic artery in the city’s western suburbs, being submerged. Aaditya Thackeray, a former Minister, remarked that such severe flooding on this highway had not been seen since the infamous July 2005 deluge.

In response to the adverse weather conditions, IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai and upgraded it to a red alert for the nearby Palghar district. These alerts suggest widespread heavy rainfall which could exacerbate already challenging conditions. Enthusiastic local weather forecasters, including ‘Mumbai Nowcast’ operated by Shivam Khandelwal and ‘Mumbai Rains‘ by Rushikesh Agre, have also urged residents to be cautious by declaring red alerts for both Mumbai and Thane.

The government has deployed 18 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with six teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) across Maharashtra to address any emergency situations that may arise due to the torrential rains.

In anticipation of further weather-related disruptions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has declared Thursday an official holiday for all schools and colleges across Mumbai. This decision aims to ensure the safety of students and faculty amid the adverse weather conditions.

Commuters returning from the city’s business districts, especially from Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), faced significant challenges. BKC, known as the most expensive central business district in the country, saw massive disruptions due to heavy rains leading to waterlogging and traffic congestion.

Many office-goers reported being left stranded as they attempted to return home amidst the downpour. An employee from a real estate firm, choosing to remain anonymous, described the difficulties of finding transport options, citing the unavailability of cabs and auto-rickshaws, and the impracticality of walking due to heavy rain. Consequently, many offices encouraged employees to work from home.

In addition to impacting daily commutes, the severe weather has also sparked concerns over real estate values, with experts indicating a decline in both property and rental values by 10% to 20% in areas prone to routine waterlogging. This includes several high-end residential areas where property values reach crore levels but residents still face problems during heavy rains.

Several prominent locations including Dadar TT, Sion, Chembur, Ghatkopar, and Goregaon reported significant waterlogging, further illustrating the widespread impact of the rainfall on the city’s infrastructure. The situation remains critical as authorities continue to manage both immediate and lingering impacts of the severe weather.