Heavy rain has disrupted life in Mumbai, as the city grapples with extreme flooding, stranding thousands and forcing authorities to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas. The recently reported rainfall, exceeding 800mm in just four days, is far above the city's average for August and has already resulted in at least 21 fatalities due to rain-related mishaps.
On Tuesday, the situation intensified as nearly 600 passengers became trapped on an overcrowded monorail that halted midway. Passengers in distress had to be rescued by emergency services, with some requiring medical attention for suffocation. In the wake of the crisis, schools and colleges have remained closed, and 350 residents from low-lying areas were taken to temporary shelters for their safety.
Following further forecasts of heavy rain, the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding regions, anticipating conditions to improve only later in the week. The intensity of the rainfall has sparked criticism against local governance, with opposition lawmakers condemning the lack of preparedness and infrastructure problems.
Although Mumbai’s local train system, vital for daily commuters, faced significant delays, the aviation sector wasn’t spared either, with over 50 flights cancelled in recent days. Airlines warned that continued poor weather could exacerbate air traffic challenges.
Citizens have also expressed their frustrations on social media, highlighting the inadequacies in urban infrastructure amid ongoing population growth. While Mumbai has seen investment in modern projects, experts note that the city's drainage systems and climate resilience measures are lagging behind, raising concerns about its future preparedness for such extreme weather events.
As more than 12 million people navigate life in Mumbai, this unrelenting deluge serves as a harsh reminder of the need for improved urban planning and infrastructure capable of withstanding the realities of climate change.
On Tuesday, the situation intensified as nearly 600 passengers became trapped on an overcrowded monorail that halted midway. Passengers in distress had to be rescued by emergency services, with some requiring medical attention for suffocation. In the wake of the crisis, schools and colleges have remained closed, and 350 residents from low-lying areas were taken to temporary shelters for their safety.
Following further forecasts of heavy rain, the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding regions, anticipating conditions to improve only later in the week. The intensity of the rainfall has sparked criticism against local governance, with opposition lawmakers condemning the lack of preparedness and infrastructure problems.
Although Mumbai’s local train system, vital for daily commuters, faced significant delays, the aviation sector wasn’t spared either, with over 50 flights cancelled in recent days. Airlines warned that continued poor weather could exacerbate air traffic challenges.
Citizens have also expressed their frustrations on social media, highlighting the inadequacies in urban infrastructure amid ongoing population growth. While Mumbai has seen investment in modern projects, experts note that the city's drainage systems and climate resilience measures are lagging behind, raising concerns about its future preparedness for such extreme weather events.
As more than 12 million people navigate life in Mumbai, this unrelenting deluge serves as a harsh reminder of the need for improved urban planning and infrastructure capable of withstanding the realities of climate change.
