Every year, the monsoon brings not just relief, but also chaos to the residents of Mumbai. In just a few days of incessant rain, the entire city is submerged in water. Local trains come to a halt, flights are delayed, schools and colleges close, and roads are flooded. This year, the Madhuban Smart City area of Vasai was hit hard, with roads and parking lots completely submerged. People were stranded in their homes, cut off from reaching out externally. Water levels rose between 5 and 5.5 feet. Approximately 200-400 people in Vasai's Mithagar settlement were trapped, necessitating the rescue efforts of the NDRF. So far, the floods have claimed the lives of 10 individuals in Maharashtra, with 8 in Nanded, one in Bhamragad taluka, and one in Chandrapur.
Other areas in Mumbai fared no better. Water flooded the Sion subway, underpasses were submerged up to the waist, schools and offices closed, and getting to work proved challenging. Many companies resorted to issuing work-from-home orders.
Neighborhoods like Andheri, Matunga, Dahisar, Vikroli Bridge, and Mumbai-Central also faced severe flooding. Cars were seen stuck in water on the highway. Near Nariwali and North Shiv villages in Thane, roads were entirely flooded. Mumbai’s recurring challenge is revisiting it annually, despite BMC's budget surpassing many states.
Monorail Trapped Due to Technical Malfunction in Mumbai
In Chembur-Bhakti Park Area, a technical glitch, coupled with rain, stranded a monorail. Passengers were rescued after two strenuous hours.
Lighting and air conditioning cut off due to a power failure, causing passengers distress from suffocation and inconvenience. Three cranes from the fire brigade and NDRF were deployed, safely evacuating 582 passengers. Twelve were sent to hospitals for treatment.
Source: aajtak
Due to the rain and halted local rail traffic, passengers were compelled to use the monorail, a route typically less in demand.
Authorities ensured safe evacuations, with those mildly discomforted being sent to nearby medical facilities.
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Record Rainfall in 24 Hours
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the western suburbs recorded the highest rainfall, with Borivali Fire Station documenting 322 mm, Chincholi at 294 mm, and Kandivali at 276 mm. The central and eastern suburbs were not far behind, with Vikhroli recording 232 mm, Kurla 163 mm, and Mulund 94 mm of rain.
Comparatively, southern Mumbai had less rain. Colaba registered 124 mm, Malabar Hill 97 mm, and Nariman Point 117 mm.
Impact on Mumbai Airport
The downpour also disrupted air traffic in Mumbai. Operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport faced delays, with several flights being diverted to airports in nearby states.
Indigo Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight schedules before leaving home.
Comments from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the flood situation with the disaster management department. He stressed the importance of the next 48 hours for districts like Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, which are on high alert.
Local Trains Halted, Residents Displaced
Several areas witnessed over 200 mm of rain, overwhelming drainage systems and submerging railway tracks. The Mithi River rose to 3.9 meters, leading to the evacuation of 350 people from Kurla. Local train services on the harbor and mainlines had to be suspended.
With conditions worsening, the BMC issued a red alert, shutting down government offices, schools, and colleges across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad.
Source: aajtak
Unpredictable August Rains
Over the past decade, August's rainfall has been remarkably erratic.
August 6, 2015: 22.3 mm
August 30, 2017: 331.4 mm
August 4, 2019: 216.4 mm
August 4, 2020: 268.6 mm
Casualties and Loss in Nanded
In Nanded, over 2,500 chickens were swept away, cattle drowned, and several homes, shops, and markets submerged. The floods severely disrupted daily life and displaced residents. Locals reported floating vehicles, with boats becoming their only route of escape. Farmers and the impoverished are ferrying essential goods using bullock carts to safer grounds. The flood toll in Nanded has reached eight lives.
Monsoon Havoc in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Elsewhere, monsoon has wreaked havoc. In Himachal Pradesh, districts like Kullu and Mandi are severely affected; cloudburst and landslides have washed away homes, shops, roads, and bridges.
A heavy downpour in Dobara Nala wiped out a home and devastated three fish farms, killing thousands of fish. The district administration estimates a loss worth Rs. 209 crore so far.
Previously a cloudburst hit Kullu, and residents were just recovering when the new calamity struck.
In Uttarakhand, surging rivers in the Mori Block of Uttarkashi district have swept away roads, blocking access to four villages. Residents now face a dangerous 28-kilometer walk. Elderly citizens, women with children bear the brunt of the ordeal.
Local authorities used JCB machines to help people cross rivers, but the fury of the monsoon shows no signs of abating.
Floods from Yamuna and Other Rivers Ravage North India
The monsoon rains and swelling rivers in north India are disrupting life, with the Yamuna river making crossings like Mathura and Agra flood-prone.
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Swell of the Yamuna in Mathura-Vrindavan
In Mathura, the Yamuna flows just 6 centimeters below the danger mark. Floodwaters have entered 20 colonies by the riverbanks. Temples and prayer sites near the ghats have submerged, forcing devotees to perform rituals standing in water.
Efforts to control the situation include 23 flood control posts and 20 flood camps. Despite this, several acres are submerged, with Yamuna's waters reaching roads. Constant alerts and proclamations remind people to steer clear of riverbanks.
Yamuna Reaches the Taj Mahal in Agra
Rising Yamuna waters have approached the Taj Mahal, creating a flood scenario at major tourist spots and surrounding areas, disturbing daily life.
Flood Scenario in Punjab and Haryana
In Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, rising Beas river levels have put villages like Ranamand, Fatakul, and Gandhwal under threat. Timely aid to affected areas is lacking, forcing villagers to fend off floodwaters on their own.
The situation in Haryana and Chandigarh is equally dire. With Sukhna Lake nearing danger points, flood gates have been opened. Main roads and internal streets in Sector Eight have witnessed flooding.
Challenges for the Administration
Heavy rains and rising rivers have posed significant challenges for administration. Delays in relief efforts and flood management are risking residents’ safety.
The monsoon debacle in north India reflects that the surge of rain and floods challenge both local authorities and citizens indefinitely.
Yamuna in Delhi Reaches Critical Levels
For those residing near the Yamuna in Delhi, tonight poses significant challenges. With the river flowing above danger levels, flood conditions prevail near riverbank areas.
Yamuna Bazaar, Burari, Sant Nagar, Jagatpur, and Wazirabad regions face impacts, with water infiltrating homes and alleys. Farmers in Yamuna's floodplains have lost crops.
Locals report substantial flooding, forcing them onto rooftops or into relief camps. Water has breached some doorsteps.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited flood-stricken areas to assess situations firsthand. Conversations with locals and officials focused on ensuring effective relief and rescue operations.
The administration has readied relief camps and flood control measures along Yamuna's banks, and local assistance is sought in drainage efforts.
