The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Mumbai and its surrounding suburbs due to the prediction of continued heavy rainfall on Tuesday. The city has experienced record-breaking rain over the past 48 hours, causing significant disruptions to normal life. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a precautionary holiday for all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges in Mumbai to ensure public safety.
The BMC has mobilized its emergency machinery to address the intensifying weather conditions in Mumbai. Official data from the civic body indicates cloudburst-like conditions in the city over the last two days. The city division received 300 mm of rainfall, while the eastern and western suburbs saw 380 mm and 345 mm of rain, respectively.
Accompanied by strong storm-force winds reaching 70 to 80 kmph, the heavy downpours have caused incidents of uprooted trees throughout the metropolis. With the IMD warning of heavy rain, lightning strikes, and severe squalls, the BMC has announced a precautionary holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The state government has advised private companies to allow employees to work from home where possible in response to the weather conditions. Non-essential government and semi-government employees were granted a half-day leave on Monday to ensure their safe return home. The continuous rainfall has led to severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, impacting transportation systems and causing delays in road traffic, local railway lines, and flight operations.
The BMC’s Disaster Management Control Room is actively monitoring the situation to ensure citizen safety. High-capacity dewatering pumps, suction machines, and additional manpower have been deployed to address waterlogging issues promptly. Special rescue teams are on standby to respond to emergencies such as fallen trees, short circuits, or structural collapses.
To address the challenges posed by the heavy rainfall, the BMC has scheduled a special general body meeting on July 9. The meeting is expected to focus on monsoon preparedness and recent rain-related incidents, sparking debates between ruling and opposition factions.
