The severe weather has significantly disrupted daily life for office commuters and school-going children, making morning travel extremely difficult. Traffic congestion, prolonged jams, and extensive waterlogging have raised widespread concern among citizens, who are questioning whether the administration will announce the closure of schools and colleges.
However, no official directive has been issued so far by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or the state government regarding the closure of educational institutions. Despite growing public demand on social media from parents and students seeking clarity, authorities have not released any formal notification. The situation on the ground remains challenging, with several roads rendered nearly impassable, making travel unsafe for children.
Officials indicate that the administration is closely monitoring the evolving conditions, and discussions are ongoing within the education department. Authorities have also urged the public to rely only on official updates and avoid circulating or believing unverified rumours.
Recent rainfall data highlights the severity of the situation. In the latest spell, Mumbai recorded an average of 184 millimetres of rainfall. The western suburbs bore the brunt with approximately 190 millimetres, while the eastern suburbs recorded 154 millimetres. Between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM on June 23, weather stations under the BMC recorded an average of 56 millimetres of rainfall across the city, with 23 millimetres in the eastern suburbs and 33 millimetres in the western suburbs. The most intense impact was witnessed between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM, when heavy downpour led to large-scale submergence in parts of the western suburbs.
Flooding in low-lying areas and subways has forced authorities to suspend or divert traffic across multiple routes, further worsening the city’s transport crisis. A BMC official, Ritik, described the severity of the situation on the ground, stating, “We have not been able to find any temporary or permanent solution to this severe waterlogging. Our officials are continuously deployed on site to ensure that no vehicles attempt to pass through deep water. Despite this, some auto rickshaw drivers attempt to force their way through. Recently, an auto rickshaw got stuck in the middle of a subway, putting the driver’s life at serious risk. Our two brave officers acted swiftly and rescued him safely.”
The BMC has also issued an advisory on the social media platform X, based on IMD warnings, cautioning that Mumbai and surrounding regions may experience thunderstorms with lightning, heavy to very heavy rainfall, and strong winds reaching speeds of 40 to 60 kilometres per hour. Residents have been strongly advised to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary and to avoid waterlogged roads and submerged subways.
The unfolding crisis underscores the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, with infrastructure and mobility severely strained under continuous rainfall.
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