Highest single-day rainfall in 5 years lashes Mumbai, throws life in disarray

Heavy rain battered Mumbai, with the Indian Meteorological Department recording the highest single-day rainfall—268 mm—since 2019, as of July 8 morning.

The IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and the Konkan belt. The rain led to the cancellation of over 50 flights with airlines warning passengers to check the flight details before arriving at the airport.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) disaster cell reported 39 tree collapse, including 19 cases in the western suburbs, eight cases in the eastern suburbs and 12 cases in the island city.

Some low-lying areas witnessed waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services, especially those of the Central Railway, which was resumed after rainwater receded.

People had to wade through waist-deep waters and cars lined up bumper to bumper on Mumbai roads. All government, private and municipal schools and colleges have been closed across the city.

Although no rain-related deaths have been reported in the city, several cases of disasters and incidents of property damage have been reported. An incident of house collapse and nine incidents of short circuits were also reported in the city.