Heavy Rains Paralyse Mumbai, Trigger Flight Disruptions, School Closures

Heavy rains in Mumbai have disrupted flights, injured three people, and forced school closures

Incessant rainfall pounded India’s financial capital, Mumbai, on Monday, disrupting daily life with flight delays, flooded roads, and school closures.

According to the India Meteorological Department, parts of the city recorded more than 140 millimetres (5 inches) of rain since Monday morning. The downpour led to widespread traffic congestion as vehicles stalled on waterlogged streets, while authorities urged residents to remain indoors.

Late on Sunday night, three people were injured when the staircase of a two-storey building collapsed in Mumbai’s southern district.

Officials issued a red alert for Mumbai and neighboring areas, warning that heavy rain would continue through Tuesday. The alert prompted the closure of schools across the city.

Aviation operations were also affected, with at least nine incoming flights aborting their landings, NDTV reported. It was not immediately clear whether the flights had been diverted.

The severe weather in Mumbai comes as torrential rains across India’s Himalayan states have killed dozens and inundated villages over the past two weeks, raising concerns over the wider impact of the monsoon season.