Mumbai rains: Dy CM Eknath Shinde blames early monsoon arrival, heavy rain in a short span

Mumbai rains live updates: The early monsoon arrival sparked a political battle in Maharashtra on Monday, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance blaming the sudden heavy rains for Mumbai’s waterlogging, while the opposition criticized the government for poor preparedness despite large expenditures. The tension escalated when Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray took a sharp dig, saying, "the Metro line was aptly named Aqua, since it is under water today," referring to the suspension of operations on Mumbai’s Metro Line 3 (Aqua) due to flooding at an underground station. Meanwhile, the Congress slammed the government, stating that despite spending crores, Mumbai’s cleaning, road conditions, and drainage system remain neglected.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday reviewed the rain situation in Thane district and assured that the government had taken all necessary steps to ensure "zero casualty." He said the district had recorded 135 mm rainfall during the day.

Shinde, who is also the guardian minister of Thane, visited the Thane Municipal Corporation's Regional Disaster Management Cell amid the ongoing downpour.

“Low-lying areas have been identified, and 66 pumps are strategically placed in 38 locations that are manned by round-the-clock ward committees and officials. Sensors installed on nullahs will alert the control room as water levels rise, enabling timely evacuation. CCTV cameras will also aid monitoring,” he told reporters.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a multi-hazard weather alert for Monday, forecasting widespread thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall across various regions of the country.

• Coastal and south interior Karnataka, Mahe in Kerala, the Konkan region including Goa, central Maharashtra, Puducherry, and Karaikal in Tamil Nadu are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with the possibility of extremely heavy downpours in some pockets.

• Heavy to very heavy showers are also likely at isolated locations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Marathwada (Maharashtra), and north interior Karnataka.

• Other states such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, and Telangana may witness heavy rainfall at isolated spots.

Mumbai rains live updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray criticised the state government, saying the BMC has never been in such a precarious condition. 

He said, “The picture will be like this if BMC goes under the control of the BJP.” Thackeray added, “This is not the first rain of the season that has hit Mumbai. We have been saying for the past two months to clean the nullahs. The civic body should have held monsoon meeting. Where is the person who calls himself a visionary, infra man,” taking a jab at Shinde. He further stated that the BMC is currently being managed by the chief minister’s office and the urban development department led by Shinde.

Mumbai rains live updates: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said that the early onset of the southwest monsoon, combined with heavy rainfall in a short period, caused flooding in Mumbai’s low-lying areas, disrupting road and rail traffic. Speaking to reporters, he stated that some parts of the city recorded over 200 mm of rain within 12 hours. He added that South Mumbai locations received significant rainfall, with Nariman Point recording 252 mm, the BMC headquarters 216 mm, and Colaba pumping station 207 mm in the same timeframe.

The weather department has predicted thunderstorms and moderate rainfall in several parts of Vidarbha.

• Districts likely to be affected include Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Yavatmal, and Gadchiroli.

• According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Nagpur, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph), along with light to moderate rain, are expected at isolated locations in these districts over the next few hours.

• A 'yellow' alert has been issued for Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Buldhana, and Washim for the next four days.

Thane and Palghar districts witnessed heavy rainfall on Monday, leading authorities to shut down certain key roads and move people from areas at risk, officials reported. Kalyan Tehsildar Sachin Shejal informed that traffic movement on the Raite bridge along the Kalyan-Murbad road has been suspended because of the increasing water levels in the Ulhas river. "Although the water has not gone over the bridge level, we have decided to close it as a precautionary measure. Traffic has been diverted via Titwala," he said.

In Ambernath, precautionary relocation was carried out for 50 residents from Swabhiman Chali, a locality near the Ulhas river banks in Sonivali. They were moved to BSUP Buildings 26, 27, and 28. "No such evacuation was required elsewhere in the district," Shejal added.

Three cowherds were also rescued after being stranded in the Ulhas river due to the rising water levels. "Two residents rescued them after they got trapped near Mohili island by launching a boat. Those rescued have been identified as Deoo Mangal Gaikar, Shankar Gatlya Patil, and Savlram Gorya Waghe," a civic release stated.

Mumbai rains live updates: The southwest monsoon reached Mumbai 16 days ahead of schedule, marking its earliest arrival since 1950, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.

The key rain-bearing system made landfall in Kerala on Saturday, the earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it arrived there on May 23.

Typically, the monsoon sets in over Kerala by June 1, reaches Mumbai by June 11, and covers the entire country by July 8. It begins withdrawing from northwest India around September 17 and fully retreats by October 15.

As per data from IMD’s Mumbai office, this is the earliest the monsoon has reached the city since 1950.

Mumbai rains live updates: Mumbai recorded 135.4 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. The city faced waterlogging at six spots, 18 short circuit cases, and five wall collapse reports. No injuries have been reported so far, said the Chief Minister’s office.

Municipal authorities, fire brigade, Mumbai police, and emergency services remain on alert, with five National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed across the city for emergency situations.

Maharashtra rains: One person died due to a lightning strike, and 48 others were rescued from flooded areas as heavy rains hit various parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, on Monday, the office of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, according to PTI.

It mentioned that 25 houses partially collapsed in Baramati, and seven people trapped in flooded areas were rescued. “70 to 80 families have been shifted to safer places. Mobile services that were disrupted yesterday are now being restored,” the CM’s Office said.

Additionally, two people were rescued from a flooded location in Indapur, Pune district.

Mumbai rains live updates: The State Disaster Control Department on Monday afternoon requested the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to deploy 10 teams across various parts of Konkan, including Mumbai and other coastal districts, as well as Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara in view of the heavy rainfall situation.

Mumbai rains live updates: The Maharashtra government issued an order on Monday allowing all staff in Mantralaya and government offices across Greater Mumbai to leave early due to a red alert for heavy monsoon rains.

"The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'Red Alert' for Mumbai city and suburban districts for the next 24 hours. Additionally, local train services have been disrupted due to heavy rainfall. Considering the current situation, all officers and employees of government offices in Mantralaya and across Greater Mumbai are hereby granted permission to leave office at 4:00 PM on Monday, 26 May 2025,” the official order stated.

The circular, however, made exceptions for departments involved in disaster management and essential services, stating "the concerned department heads will decide which officers should stay."

Mumbai rains live updates: Mumbai received 63.5 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Waterlogging was reported at six locations, along with 18 cases of short circuits and five incidents of wall collapse. 

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed and kept ready to handle any emergencies.

Mumbai rains live updates: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis held discussions with the chief secretary and disaster control officers and has ordered an immediate survey to assess the losses caused by the recent rains.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon has arrived in Mumbai 16 days earlier than usual due to the ongoing rainfall.

Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), reported by the Indian Express, indicates that several areas in South Mumbai received over 200 mm of rain between midnight and 11 am on Monday.

At the Colaba observatory, Mumbai recorded its highest rainfall at 295 mm, surpassing the previous record of 279.4 mm set in May 1918.

As per a PTI report citing IMD data, between 8:30 am and 11 am on Monday, Colaba received 105.2 mm of rain, Santacruz 55 mm, Bandra 68.5 mm, Juhu Airport 63.5 mm, Chembur 38.5 mm, Vikhroli 37.5 mm, Mahalaxmi 33.5 mm, and Sion 53.5 mm.

Mumbai rains live updates: Maharashtra deputy chief Minister on Monday afternoon visited the state disaster control room at Mantralaya (secretariat) to assess the rain situation in Mumbai. Earlier, he stated, "Our aim is no casualties. We are on alert mode," during his visit to the disaster management department as a 'Red' alert for heavy rains was issued for Mumbai.

Mumbai weather live updates: On the heavy rains and preparedness of teams in Mumbai, Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, "All agencies, including BMC, Army, and Navy, are on high alert and coordinating their efforts. The Chief Minister and Disaster Management Minister are closely monitoring the situation. It is the government's responsibility to ensure smooth operations."

Mumbai weather live updates: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Nowcast at 3 pm, intense spells of rain are very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Mumbai during the next 3 to 4 hours. 

There is also a possibility of thunder and lightning accompanied by gusty winds in some areas.

Mumbai weather live updates: Speaking about the rainfall situation in Mumbai, Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said during his visit to the Disaster Management department, "Our aim is no casualties. We are on alert mode," as a 'Red' alert for heavy rains was issued for the city.

Heavy rains caused waterlogging in various parts of Mumbai on Monday, coinciding with the early arrival of the monsoon, according to the IMD.

IMD data showed that between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM IST on May 26, Mumbai experienced substantial rainfall, with Colaba recording 105.2 mm, Bandra 68.5 mm, Santacruz 55.0 mm, Juhu Airport 63.5 mm, Sion 53.5 mm, Tata Power Chembur 38.5 mm, Vikhroli 37.5 mm, and Mahalaxmi 33.5 mm of rain.

Mumbai weather live updates:  Aaditya Thackeray visited Worli Metro Station to evaluate the current situation on Monday afternoon.

He said, "This is not the first time it has rained. Just last week, the Andheri subway was flooded. The government and BMC are responsible for Mumbai’s condition. The city is suffering due to corruption by the ruling parties in the BMC and the control exercised over the BMC from Mantralaya. What has the so-called 'Infra Man' done for the city?"

Mumbai weather live updates: Heavy rains affected multiple parts of Navi Mumbai as the Southwest Monsoon reached Maharashtra. On Monday, Mumbai experienced heavy downpours as the annual monsoon arrived nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, according to meteorologists.

Shubhangi Bhute, Mumbai’s weather chief at the Indian Meteorological Department, told AFP that this is the earliest monsoon arrival recorded since records began in 2011.

"This is the earliest the monsoon has arrived in the state since then, so this is the earliest in 14 years," Bhute said.

Mumbai weather live updates: The southwest monsoon reached Mumbai on Monday, arriving over two weeks ahead of its usual schedule. According to officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this marks the earliest onset of monsoon rains in the city in 75 years.

“Southwest monsoon made its onset over Mumbai on May 26. This is the earliest onset in the last 75 years,” said IMD scientist Sushma Nair.

Mumbai weather live updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday lashed out at the BJP-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), accusing it of failing to tackle waterlogging in Mumbai as heavy rainfall brought several parts of the city to a halt.

In a post on X, Thackeray wrote, "The absolute apathy of the BJP government that controls the BMC for the past 3 years has led to Mumbai come to a standstill today."

He highlighted that areas which previously did not face flooding were now waterlogged, including Hindmata — a location he claimed was made waterlogging-free during the 2021–22 period. 

"The Hind Mata, which was made waterlogging-free by us in 2021/22, is now waterlogged again today only and only because the @mybmc did not initiate the process of pumping out water on time," he added.

Mumbai weather live updates: Operations on Mumbai Metro Line 3 between Acharya Atre Chowk and Worli have been suspended after an underground station was inundated due to heavy rainfall.

Train services on the Harbour line were disrupted due to waterlogging on the tracks at Masjid station, according to Central Railway officials.

Meanwhile, services on the main line's slow corridor remained unaffected, though the fast corridor faced some issues with signal and track changing point failures, said Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila.