Photo by Harrison Haines
Heavy monsoon rainfall has brought India’s financial capital Mumbai to a standstill, disrupting the lives of millions and submerging large parts of the city under water. Roads have turned into rivers, leading to widespread travel delays, cancellations, and chaos across multiple sectors.
Multiple areas remain inundated in waist-deep water, with shocking visuals circulating on social media showing residents wading or swimming through flooded streets as garbage surged out from blocked sewers, highlighting the city’s strained drainage infrastructure.
Authorities on Tuesday had to rescue 600 people stranded on an overcrowded monorail that came to a halt mid-journey. At least 23 passengers required medical treatment for suffocation, officials confirmed. Rescue operations involved cranes and teams from the fire department and police who worked to safely evacuate passengers from the elevated tracks. A preliminary probe suggests the stoppage occurred due to overcrowding.
Mumbai, located in Maharashtra state, is no stranger to monsoon rains around this time each year. However, the intensity this season has been particularly severe. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city has received 800mm of rainfall in just four days—far exceeding the average for August. At least 21 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Maharashtra this week.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Mumbai and adjoining districts, warning of more heavy rainfall on Wednesday, though it has forecast improvement later in the week.
As a result of the deluge, schools and colleges across the city have been ordered shut. Around 350 people have been relocated from low-lying, flood-prone areas to temporary shelters for safety.
Mumbai’s local train network—considered the city’s lifeline and a daily necessity for millions of commuters—has been severely affected. Train services were delayed for hours on Tuesday, leaving thousands stranded on overcrowded platforms. A frustrated passenger told news agency ANI, “Trains scheduled for last night have left this morning and those supposed to leave this morning have been delayed to later.”
Air travel has also been hit hard. The city’s international airport has seen around 50 flight cancellations over the past few days. Budget airline IndiGo posted on social media platform X: “While we want your journey to be as hassle-free as possible, Mother Nature has her own plans. With heavy rains expected again in Mumbai, there’s a chance this could lead to air traffic congestion and impact flight operations.”
Tuesday’s monorail disruption has also sparked political outrage. Opposition leaders have criticised the state government for failing to plan adequately, despite red alerts and prior warnings.
Aaditya Thackeray, a senior leader from the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), described the situation in Mumbai and nearby areas as an “absolute collapse of governance.” He accused the government of “zero planning,” pointing to new water-logging hotspots, including areas surrounding newly constructed infrastructure and the flooded airport.
Civic frustration is growing. Several citizens have taken to social media to express anger at the city’s poor planning, crumbling infrastructure, and lack of preparedness to handle extreme weather events.
Despite being one of India’s wealthiest cities and a major contributor to national GDP, industrial production, and trade, Mumbai continues to struggle with basic urban challenges. Home to over 12 million residents, the city has drawn migrants from across India, seeking employment and a better life.
Although Mumbai has seen ambitious infrastructure projects in recent years—such as coastal roads, sea bridges, and a new metro system—urban experts argue that investments in critical systems like drainage, flood control, and climate-resilient infrastructure have failed to keep pace with rapid population growth and escalating climate threats.
The latest deluge serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and resilient infrastructure in one of Asia’s most populous and economically vital cities.
