Mumbai: The season’s first major spell of rain caused widespread disruption across Mumbai on Wednesday, affecting both road and rail traffic and leaving thousands of commuters stranded during peak morning hours.
According to officials, several parts of the city recorded more than 300 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. The heavy downpour led to severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, slowing vehicular movement and disrupting suburban train services.
The situation also proved embarrassing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) when one of its supervisors accidentally fell into an uncovered drain while accompanying Mayor Ritu Tawde during an inspection of the waterlogged Gandhi Market area in King’s Circle.
The official was quickly rescued and did not suffer serious injuries. However, a video of the incident rapidly circulated on social media, drawing criticism from the public and opposition parties over the city’s preparedness for the monsoon season.
Opposition leaders accused the BMC of failing to address recurring issues such as waterlogging and inadequate drainage infrastructure despite annual monsoon preparedness claims.
Authorities said efforts were underway to clear waterlogged areas and restore normal traffic movement across the city.
