Mumbai on red alert as heavy rain floods roads, shuts schools and slows traffic across the city
According to the India Meteorological Department, Mumbai is under a red alert for rain on Monday. Schools are shut in the city due to the heavy rain. The heavy rainfall causes serious waterlogging in a number of locations.
Aadrika Tayal 
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] August 18: The IMD issues a "red alert" for the city and surrounding areas on Monday. Mumbai continues to face heavy rainfall for the third day in a row. According to drivers, the intense rain in several areas of the city reduced visibility and slowed down traffic. After the intense rain, roads in a number of locations are flooded. Traffic flow is impacted by the accumulation of water in a few places in low-lying areas, such as the Andheri Subway and Lokhandwala Complex.
The IMD has also issues a red alert for Ratnagiri, Alibag, Raigad Reserve, Shrivardhan, Harnai and Dapoli.
It also issues a yellow alert today for Nashik, Khandala, Bhimshankar Reserve, Pune, Mahabaleshwar, Kolhapur, Satara, Malegaon, Dhule, Igatpuri, Nandurbar, Karad, Baramati, Ahmednagar, Amaravati, Akola, Buldhana, Shrirampur, Shirdi, Jeur, Pandharpur, Solapur, Beed, and Udgir.
NDRF and Army start rescue work
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirms rescue operations. He says, “One team each of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army and Mumbai police are coordinating the rescue operations. A contingent of the Indian Army has also left from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The local administration has been asked to continuously stay in the affected areas and coordinate."
Schools and colleges closed
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declares on Monday that all schools and colleges that are open after 12 pm will be closed. It is due to waterlogging on the city's roads and poor visibility caused by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also reports that many parts of Mumbai experience more than 100 mm of rain in the last four hours, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The areas with the highest rainfall totals are Chembur (140.80 mm), Dadar (139.6 mm), Wadala and Worli (133 mm), and Parel (116 mm).
Airport asks passengers to check flights
In the middle of the city's intense rain, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recommends travelers to check the status of their flights on the websites of their individual airlines.
The Airport posts, "In view of the heavy rain forecast in Mumbai, passengers are advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines and allow extra travel time to reach the airport” on social media platform X.
