Delhi and Mumbai Flooded: 11.8 Inches Rain in 6 Hours, Schools Closed, Trains Canceled

Throughout the country, the monsoon season has set in robustly. The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall alert for 11 states today. In Mumbai, more than 300 mm of rain was recorded in a six-hour period from 1 am on Sunday night to 7 am on Monday morning, leading to waterlogging in some low-lying areas. Notably, the monsoon made a dramatic entry in Delhi on Friday (June 28), with 9 inches of rain falling in 24 hours, the second-highest single-day rainfall since 9.27 inches in June 1936. Consequently, the quota for the entire four-month period from March to now has been fulfilled.

Mumbai Legislative Assembly Suspended Due to Heavy Rain

Due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly have been suspended for the entire day. The railway department reported that five trains of the Mumbai division were canceled due to waterlogging on the tracks. Several local trains are also running hours late. The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) has declared a holiday for both government and private schools and colleges in Mumbai today. Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, more than 115 roads, including the Kedarnath and Badrinath highways, have been closed due to heavy rains over the last four days. Landslides and washouts have shut down many roads, halting the Char Dham Yatra and leaving 6,000 pilgrims stranded at various locations. Rivers such as the Ganga, Alaknanda, and Bhagirathi are flowing near the danger mark.

Weather Department Predicts More Heavy Rain for Mumbai Today

The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain for Mumbai today as well. Between 8 am on July 7 and 6 am on July 8, Mumbai Central City recorded 110 mm of rainfall, East Mumbai recorded 150 mm, and West Mumbai recorded 146 mm. BMC officials stated that authorities are on the ground managing the waterlogging situation. Efforts are underway to drain water from low-lying areas. The BMC has issued an advisory for Mumbai residents, urging them to go out only if absolutely necessary. Environmental activists have blamed the construction of the Mumbai Metro for the waterlogging, stating that concrete construction throughout the city prevents the ground from absorbing water. Roads are also made of cement, and the drainage system dates back to the British era.