The IMD has reported an intense spell for the last two hours.

Rainfall warnings for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad are red coded. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall , more than 20 cm is expected in these areas in next 24 hours, says IMD's Deputy Director General K.S. Hosalikar.

In Mumbai Airport, there have been five go-arounds due to drop in visibility and average delays of 25 minutes in arrivals and departures.

Two teams of NDRF, Pune have moved for Panvel, Raigad for prepositioning in view of incessant rainfall.

Water level has gone above 300 mm at Nalasopara, and temporarily train operations have been stopped between Vasai and Virar.

Suburbs receive 11-14 mm rainfall

A BEST bus wades through a waterlogged street near Dadar TT circle after rainfall in Central Mumbai.   | Photo Credit: Emmanuel Yogini

Mumbaikars woke up to heavy rainfall on Wednesday morning, which lead to waterlogging in several key spots and affected the city’s suburban railway system and traffic.

While the island city received light rain in the morning, the eastern and western suburbs received between 11 mm and 14 mm of rainfall from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has given a forecast of intermittent rain and shower, with very heavy rainfall at isolated places in city and suburbs. As a precautionary measure in the wake of the IMD’s warning, schools have been asked to remain closed today. “The principals of the schools where students are already in are requested to take all precautions and ensure that the children are sent back home carefully and safely,” said an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Rail services affected

Due to the heavy showers, there were multiple point failures at Virar, affecting suburban rail services on Western Railway (WR). Trains were running 15 minutes late between Vasai Road and Churchgate, with very few services being run between Virar and Vasai Road. On the Central Railway’s (CR), Central Line as well as Harbour Line, services were over 20 minutes late as water entered the tracks at various spots.

According to Mumbai police, traffic is moving slow due to heavy showers and waterlogging at various spots across the city.