Mumbai: The city experienced intense rainfall and thunderstorms on Monday, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, severely disrupting suburban rail services and slowing down road traffic due to reduced visibility.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Mumbai recorded its highest single-day June rainfall in 107 years on the first day of the monsoon season.
Amid the monsoon chaos, bus services on Walkeshwar Road were suspended from Chowpatty Bandstand following the collapse of a protective wall near Ruby Building, approximately 50 feet before the Three Batti bus stop.
The incident occurred around 4:00 PM, prompting the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) authorities to halt operations on the stretch as a safety precaution. The affected bus routes include A42, A105, 57, 67, 80, 103, A106, and 108. Commuters have been advised to seek alternate transport arrangements while repairs and safety assessments are underway.
As of now, no fatalities have been reported in this incident.
The sudden monsoon burst caused chaos across the city, leaving commuters stranded in waterlogged areas. The newly inaugurated underground Metro line also witnessed flooding, compounding the woes of thousands of daily travelers.
On the suburban railway network, services were seriously delayed on the Central, Western, and Harbour lines. Commuters reported delays of 15–25 minutes on the Central line alone due to waterlogging and signal failures
Meanwhile, various departments of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), especially those handling solid waste management and essential services, have been working tirelessly on the ground. Sanitation workers have been deployed across the city to prevent garbage from blocking drains and manholes, key contributors to monsoon waterlogging.
Despite preparedness measures, the early onset of intense monsoon showers has showed its true colors on Mumbai’s infrastructure, showing persistent gaps in drainage and flood management.
