Maharashtra Rains Kill 10; Mumbai Paralysed By Record 300 Mm Deluge, Shinde Visits Affected Areas
Heavy rains in Maharashtra caused eight deaths in Nanded, extensive crop damage, and livestock losses. Mumbai experienced record rainfall, disrupting transportation and necessitating evacuations.
Heavy rainfall lashed vast parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people, paralysing Mumbai’s daily life, inundating low-lying areas, and forcing authorities to move hundreds to safer locations. The downpour not only battered the state capital but also caused widespread damage to property and crops across the state.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after reviewing the situation with the disaster management department, said the next 48 hours would be “crucial” for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, which remain on high alert. He added that crops over 12 to 14 lakh acres have been destroyed by the rains, according to news agency PTI.
VIDEO | Mumbai: High tidal waves crash at the Gateway of India as heavy rains continue to lash the city.#MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/LY8PGXaqDJ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 19, 2025
As Mumbai Logs Record Rains, Shinde Tours Affected Areas, Reviews BMC Preparedness
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, who missed the cabinet meeting for the second straight week, visited the Emergency Management Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
“I took a tour of Mumbai, visited the Mithi River and areas affected by landslides in Vikhroli Park Site and also went to Thane. BMC machinery is on high alert, with Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and other officials actively monitoring the situation in the field,” he said.
He highlighted that 525 pumps, 10 mini pumping stations and six major pumping stations were operational across Mumbai. “Efforts are being made to provide immediate relief… Holding ponds have been created, and NDRF teams are working to shift people from flood-prone areas to safer locations, providing them with food, shelter, and medical camps,” Shinde added, according to ANI.
He highlighted that 525 pumps, 10 mini pumping stations and six major pumping stations were operational across Mumbai. “Efforts are being made to provide immediate relief, with 525 pumps operational, 10 mini pumping stations, and six large pumping stations in use. Holding ponds have been created, and NDRF teams are working to shift people from flood-prone areas to safer locations, providing them with food, shelter, and medical camps,” Shinde said, according to news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Mumbai | On visiting Emergency Management Department of Municipal Corporation at BMC, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde says, "I took a tour of Mumbai, visited the Mithi River and areas affected by landslides in Vikhroli Park Site and also went to Thane. BMC machinery… pic.twitter.com/Le1Dmkc9Ea
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2025
He also mentioned geo-netting in landslide-prone areas, supply of food packets and essentials to residents, and measures to ease traffic pressure. “It is an appeal to people to stay indoors unless necessary and for private companies to allow work from home,” he said.
Mumbai Rains: Flights Diverted, Trains Suspended
Mumbai recorded nearly 300 mm of rainfall, leading to severe waterlogging, suspension of train services and delayed flights.
A monorail with over 400 passengers stalled between Mysore Colony and Bhakti Park stations after a power failure. Passengers later said panic spread as the air-conditioning system shut down, leaving many complaining of suffocation.
Suburban rail services faced major disruptions. Central Railway halted operations on the Harbour Line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kurla, and also suspended services between Kurla and Sion due to waterlogged tracks. Public buses too were diverted from flooded routes.
The Mithi River in Mumbai touched the danger level, prompting the evacuation of nearly 500 people, Fadnavis confirmed.
At least eight flights—six operated by IndiGo, and one each by SpiceJet and Air India—were diverted to Surat, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. The Bombay High Court also wound up proceedings early, shutting by 12.30 pm.
The IMD issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Palghar and ghat areas of central Maharashtra, warning of extremely heavy rainfall till Wednesday.
Nanded, Vidarbha Report Rain-Related Deaths
The worst casualties were reported from Nanded, where eight people died following a cloudburst-like situation that triggered flash floods. Over 290 residents were rescued from submerged villages, with the State Disaster Response Force and Army joining relief operations.
In Vidarbha, incessant rainfall inundated Gadchiroli. A 19-year-old from Kodpe village in Bhamragad taluka drowned while crossing a swollen stream, officials said. In Chandrapur, a 45-year-old man died after falling off the Bhadravati bridge, PTI reported.
10 Lakh Hectares Of Farmland Damaged
The chief minister said the government had declared a holiday for educational institutions and offices, urging private firms to allow employees to work from home. “High tide is expected in the evening and we are closely watching the situation. The NDRF and SDRF are on alert,” Fadnavis said.
He added that district collectors had been authorised to decide on financial aid for cattle loss, house damage and lives lost under NDRF rules. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said nearly 10 lakh hectares of farmland has been submerged, and damage assessment will begin once the rains subside.
IMD Forecasts More Rains
According to senior IMD scientist S. D. Sanap in Pune, the heavy rains were triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal and intensified monsoon winds, which activated a trough from north Konkan to Kerala.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Mumbai and neighbouring districts, warning of “very heavy to extremely heavy” rainfall at isolated places. Konkan and central Maharashtra are expected to receive intense showers for the next two days. Meanwhile, an orange alert has been sounded in Marathwada and Vidarbha, where rain activity may reduce later in the week.
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