MUMBAI, India — As the 2025 monsoon season unleashes its fury, Mumbai is grappling with one of its most intense deluges in recent memory. Over 500 mm of rainfall in just 84 hours has submerged streets, claimed lives, and disrupted daily life across the financial capital. From waterlogged roads in Dadar and Andheri to heroic rescues by Mumbai Police, the city is navigating a crisis marked by tragedy, resilience, and a renewed focus on infrastructure preparedness. Here’s the full story of Mumbai’s battle with the 2025 monsoon, as reported on August 19, 2025.
A Deluge Overwhelms the Maximum City
Since August 16, 2025, Mumbai has been battered by relentless monsoon showers, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording over 500 mm of rainfall in 84 hours across the city and suburbs. On Monday, August 18, alone, areas like Vikhroli (139.5 mm), Chembur (124 mm), Santacruz (123.9 mm), and Juhu (123.5 mm) saw torrential downpours, triggering severe flooding in low-lying zones. The IMD issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, forecasting “extremely heavy rainfall” through August 19, with gusty winds up to 65 kmph and high tides exacerbating the chaos.
The downpour paralyzed the city, flooding key areas like Dadar, Andheri, Sion, Kurla, Matunga, Chembur, and Goregaon. The Andheri Subway, a notorious flood-prone spot, was submerged under two-and-a-half feet of water, forcing its closure for hours and rerouting traffic via Thackeray and Gokhale bridges. The Western Express Highway and Eastern Expressway saw massive jams, with commuters stranded for hours. Local trains, Mumbai’s lifeline, faced delays of 15–20 minutes due to waterlogged tracks at stations like Dadar, Mahim, and Sion, while 14 flights at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport performed go-arounds, and one was diverted to Surat.
Tragically, the rains claimed two lives in Mumbai. A compound wall collapse at Napean Sea Road killed one person, while another died from electrocution in Kanjurmarg. A man went missing in the swollen Mithi River, and another was injured by a falling tree in Sahar. Across Maharashtra, seven fatalities were reported in rain-related incidents over two days, underscoring the monsoon’s deadly toll.
BMC and Mumbai Police Step Up
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sprang into action, declaring holidays for all schools and colleges on August 18 and 19 to ensure student safety. Government and private offices were advised to allow work-from-home arrangements, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged residents to stay indoors, citing the 177 mm of rain recorded in a 6–8-hour span on Monday. The BMC deployed engineers, pump operators, and emergency teams across flood-prone areas, activating all seven pumps at the Hindmata Pumping Station to drain water rapidly.
Mumbai Police played a heroic role, particularly in a heartwarming rescue at King’s Circle, where officers from Matunga Police Station saved six schoolchildren, two staff members, and a driver from a Don Bosco School bus trapped in floodwaters. The children were brought to the police station’s “Child-Friendly Corner,” where they spent time learning and playing until reunited with their parents. The Mumbai Police’s X posts highlighted their efforts, earning praise from residents for their swift response.
The BMC also reported that six of Mumbai’s seven lakes, including Vihar and Tulsi, are now overflowing, securing the city’s water supply at 91% capacity. However, the rising Mithi River raised concerns, prompting the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams for rescue and relief operations.
Resilience Amid Challenges
Despite the chaos, Mumbai’s upgraded drainage systems have shown signs of progress. The BMC’s installation of 60 automatic rain gauges at 58 locations, transmitting real-time data to the Disaster Control Room, has improved flood monitoring. Investments in the BRIMSTOWAD drainage project and Mithi River cleanup, though criticized for delays, have helped mitigate flooding in some areas compared to past monsoons. Residents and some X users have lauded the BMC’s efforts, with one post claiming Mumbai’s drainage system prevented worse flooding despite 350–400 mm of rain in 48 hours, a volume that would cripple other global cities.
However, challenges persist. Opposition leaders like Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Aaditya Thackeray have slammed the BMC and state government for inadequate preparedness, pointing to new flooding spots and questioning the functionality of pumping stations. Allegations of mismanagement in the BRIMSTOWAD project and Mithi River cleanup have resurfaced, with critics arguing that corruption and delays have left Mumbai vulnerable. The flooding of Metro 3’s Aqua Line station in Worli earlier this year further fueled concerns about infrastructure quality.
Climate change is also a growing factor. The IMD attributes the intense rainfall to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and an east-west shear zone, with heavy showers expected to continue until August 21. Experts warn that shifting weather patterns are increasing the frequency of extreme events, overwhelming Mumbai’s aging drainage systems. The city’s coastal location and high population density exacerbate risks, particularly during high tides, which hinder drainage into the sea.
A City’s Spirit Shines Through
Mumbai’s resilience shines despite the adversity. From shopkeepers wading through flooded streets to keep businesses running to commuters braving delayed trains, the city’s spirit remains unbroken. The Dahi Handi celebrations on August 17, part of Janmashtami, went ahead in Dadar and Thane amid the rains, with Ganpati idols arriving at mandals for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, showcasing Mumbaikars’ determination to carry on.
The IMD has downgraded Mumbai to an orange alert for August 20, signaling a slight easing of rainfall, but a yellow alert remains for August 21. Authorities continue to urge caution, advising residents to avoid coastal areas like Marine Drive and Worli Sea Face during high tides. Airlines like IndiGo and Akasa Air have issued travel advisories, and Mumbai University postponed 32 exams to August 23.
Looking Ahead
As Mumbai braces for more rain, the focus is on preventing further loss of life and minimizing disruptions. The BMC’s proactive measures, combined with Mumbai Police’s swift response, have mitigated some impacts, but the city faces ongoing challenges in upgrading its infrastructure to withstand climate-driven monsoons. For now, Mumbaikars are weathering the storm with their characteristic grit, proving once again why this city is called the “Maximum City.”
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