Torrential monsoon rain continued to lash Maharashtra on Monday, severely disrupting transport services and daily life across Mumbai and neighbouring districts. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for parts of the state, authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as flooding, waterlogging and landslides affected several regions.
The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) advised private companies to allow employees to work from home wherever possible. Non-essential government offices in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region were directed to function only for the first half of the day, while essential services continued as usual.
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Heavy rainfall led to major disruptions on both road and rail networks. Train services on sections of the Mumbai-Pune route were suspended after landslides and track damage, while waterlogging forced Western Railway to halt services between Virar, Nalasopara, Vasai and Palghar, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway was also temporarily suspended after an entry arch collapsed near Lonavala.
The Bombay High Court granted relief to staff members unable to reach work due to the severe weather, stating they would not be marked absent if travel conditions prevented attendance.
The IMD also warned of intense rain accompanied by gusty winds of up to 70 kmph across Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune and the Nashik Ghat region. Authorities asked people to stay away from flooded roads, waterfalls and ghat sections and to use emergency helplines if required.
The relentless rain has caused structural damage in several districts, including incidents of wall and billboard collapses, uprooted trees and inundated residential areas. Rescue teams remain on high alert as civic agencies continue restoration work.
With forecasts indicating more heavy rainfall over the next two days, officials have urged citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and closely follow weather advisories and official updates.
