Mumbai, August 18, 2025 – Mumbai is once again battling the fury of the monsoon as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the city, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall through August 19 and possibly into the weekend. The alert signals disruptive downpours capable of flooding and impacting daily life.
This week’s forecast indicates widespread rain, often heavy and accompanied by strong winds. Monday saw continuous rainfall, with similar patterns expected through Wednesday. Thursday and Friday remain gloomy, with steady showers expected along with breezy conditions, and the weekend forecast points to more downpours.
Officials have warned of flooding, waterlogging, poor visibility, and significant travel disruptions—especially in low-lying areas. Municipal teams are on high alert, clearing blocked drains and deploying emergency units.
Traffic Woes: City Struggles Under Heavy Rainfall
Mumbai’s transport system is under immense strain.
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Major roads such as the Western Express Highway near Vile Parle have reported heavy waterlogging, leading to massive traffic jams.
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Several neighborhoods including Andheri, Dadar, Sion, Malad, and Goregaon are experiencing severe flooding.
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The BEST bus services have been rerouted in multiple locations, while some routes have been suspended entirely.
Railways, the city’s lifeline, have also been disrupted. On August 16, more than 25 suburban train services on the Central line were canceled, while others ran late as tracks were submerged in areas like Kurla and Tilak Nagar. Passengers reported long delays and overcrowding in trains that were still running.
Flight operations were no better. More than a dozen flights were forced into holding patterns, while a few were diverted due to poor visibility and waterlogged runways. Travelers faced long waits both inside airports and on approach roads that were clogged with traffic.
Landslides and Safety Concerns
Heavy rainfall has also caused landslides in parts of the city. In Vikhroli’s Varsha Nagar area, a tragic landslide claimed two lives and injured two others. Rescue teams rushed to the spot, but the incident highlights the grave dangers posed by relentless rain in hilly and unstable areas.
Surrounding districts such as Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Pune have been placed under red alert, with warnings of extremely heavy rainfall. These regions are prone to landslides and flash floods, prompting the authorities to maintain a state of heightened vigilance.
Mumbai’s Lakes Near Full Capacity
While the heavy rains have caused disruption, they have also replenished Mumbai’s reservoirs—a silver lining for the city. The cumulative water stock across the seven lakes that supply Mumbai has reached over 91% of its total capacity.
Here’s the current status of major lakes:
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Tulsi Lake: 100% full and overflowing
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Tansa Lake: 98.81%
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Middle Vaitarna: 97.34%
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Upper Vaitarna: 87.13%
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Modak Sagar: 86.61%
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Bhatsa Lake: 89.82%
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Vihar (Vehar) Lake: 95.16%
With Tulsi Lake already overflowing and others nearing capacity, Mumbai’s drinking water supply for the year looks secure. Just a month ago, concerns were rising about water shortages, but the strong spell of rain has eliminated immediate scarcity fears.
However, the situation comes with a warning: if rainfall continues at this pace, authorities may be forced to release excess water from the lakes, which could worsen flooding in downstream areas.
Impact on Daily Life
For the average Mumbaikar, the downpour means:
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Office commuters stuck in long traffic snarls or delayed trains.
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Students facing school and college closures in some areas.
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Street vendors and shopkeepers seeing sharp drops in daily business.
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Residents of low-lying areas constantly battling water entering their homes.
For many, the monsoon is an annual test of endurance. Families living near nullahs and riverbanks keep emergency kits ready, knowing that evacuation could be necessary.
Forecast for the Week
The IMD has outlined the following forecast for Mumbai:
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Monday, August 18: Heavy rain, localized flooding; high 28°C, low 25°C.
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Tuesday, August 19: Heavy rain, thunderstorms; high 28°C, low 26°C.
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Wednesday, August 20: Cloudy with heavy spells; high 27°C, low 26°C.
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Thursday, August 21: Rain, breezy conditions; high 30°C, low 26°C.
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Friday, August 22: Intermittent rain; high 31°C, low 25°C.
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Saturday, August 23: More rain spells; high 31°C, low 26°C.
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Sunday, August 24: Windy with rain showers; high 31°C, low 27°C.
This extended spell of wet weather means the city will remain under caution for the next several days.
Civic Preparedness and Warnings
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deployed extra staff to clear waterlogged roads and maintain pumping stations. Disaster management units are on alert with rescue boats, ambulances, and shelter homes ready.
Citizens have been advised to:
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Avoid non-essential travel, especially during peak rainfall hours.
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Stay indoors if possible and keep track of IMD and BMC updates.
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Move vehicles away from flood-prone roads and avoid parking near drains.
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Keep emergency supplies ready—flashlights, dry food, drinking water, and medicines.
The authorities have also urged people to stay away from beaches, seafronts, and flood-prone underpasses during high tide.
The Larger Picture: Mumbai’s Monsoon Reality
Every year, the monsoon brings both relief and chaos to Mumbai. The rains refill lakes, restore groundwater, and cool the summer heat—but they also expose the city’s fragile infrastructure.
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Drainage systems are unable to cope with sudden cloudbursts.
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Encroachments on floodplains and natural water channels worsen flooding.
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Transport networks collapse easily under heavy rain.
Experts argue that while the city has improved its flood preparedness over the years, the pace of urbanization and climate change has made the monsoon increasingly unpredictable and hazardous.
Looking Ahead
Mumbai’s immediate future is wet and uncertain. The orange alert will likely remain in place until midweek, and though rainfall may ease slightly afterward, residents must stay prepared for more sudden downpours.
On one hand, the overflowing lakes have secured Mumbai’s water supply. On the other, the persistent rain poses risks of floods, landslides, and infrastructure breakdowns.
For now, Mumbaikars will have to do what they do best—adapt, endure, and push forward despite the odds.
Conclusion
The ongoing monsoon has once again put Mumbai to the test. Roads are flooded, trains are delayed, and flights are disrupted. Families in vulnerable areas live in fear of landslides and rising water. Yet the same rains have also secured the city’s water future, with lakes almost full.
The next few days will be crucial. If the rains ease, Mumbai will breathe a sigh of relief. If not, the city may face more disruptions—but it will also show, once again, the resilience for which it is known.
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