As heavy rains lashed Mumbai and its suburbs on Wednesday afternoon, Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar announced that all educational institutions in the city will remain closed on Thursday to prioritise the safety of students.
The announcement comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and its neighboring districts, predicting extremely heavy rainfall until 8:30 AM on Thursday.
The city continues to experience heavy rainfall, which has already resulted in waterlogging, traffic jams, and other disruptions. In response, local authorities are taking additional precautions to minimise risks to residents, particularly students and commuters.
Mumbai has a long history of monsoon challenges, including severe flooding and disruption to essential services during heavy rains.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued advisories urging citizens to remain indoors and only venture out if necessary.
Public transport, however, has not been immune to the effects of the heavy rains, with widespread delays and disruptions being reported, especially on the central railway lines.
Mumbai’s local train network, often described as the lifeline of the city, has been severely impacted by the heavy rains. Services on the Central Railway line, one of the busiest in Mumbai, have faced significant delays due to waterlogging on the tracks at key junctions like Sion, Kurla, and Dadar.
Commuters have reported delays of up to 30-45 minutes, with some services being cancelled altogether during peak hours. In addition, several local trains have been operating at reduced speed, further affecting the daily commute for thousands of passengers.
The heavy downpour has caused water to accumulate on the tracks, particularly in low-lying areas, forcing the railways to take safety measures. Some trains have been diverted to other lines, while others have been suspended temporarily to prevent accidents. Railway officials are closely monitoring the situation, and additional personnel have been deployed to manage the flow of passengers and clear the water from the tracks.
Many daily commuters have been left stranded at stations, waiting for trains that are either delayed or cancelled. The situation has created long queues and overcrowded platforms at major stations like Thane, Ghatkopar, and CST. Passengers have been advised to check for real-time updates on train schedules and consider alternate modes of transport where possible.
Considering the red alert and continuous rains, the BMC has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel. The civic body has intensified its efforts to address waterlogging and has stationed emergency teams in flood-prone areas across the city. With local train services facing disruptions, the BMC is working in coordination with railway authorities to ensure safety for all commuters.
As the red alert remains in place till Thursday morning, Mumbai’s residents are preparing for further disruptions. Citizens are advised to stay updated with the latest weather and transport advisories, and only travel if necessary.
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