Mumbai and its suburbs were battered by heavy rainfall starting early Monday morning, bringing the city to a standstill. Accompanied by thunder and lightning, the downpour led to significant disruptions for office-goers. Train services on the Central and Harbour lines were halted due to waterlogging at Masjid railway station. But what’s more concerning is a shocking development — rainwater entered the newly inaugurated Acharya Atre Chowk underground metro station on Mumbai’s Aqua Line 3. The underground Metro Line 3, connecting Aarey to Worli’s Acharya Atre Chowk, had only recently become operational, offering relief to thousands of daily commuters. However, the first major rain of the season has exposed serious vulnerabilities, with water flooding the Worli underground metro station and raising pressing safety concerns.
Since early morning, Worli witnessed relentless rainfall. The rainwater flowed directly into the underground metro station at Worli Naka. Eyewitnesses described water cascading down the stairs like a waterfall, flooding the concourse area. Due to the heavy waterlogging, station doors were kept shut, and passengers were not allowed to disembark. One metro train remained halted at the station for nearly 20 minutes, with passengers stuck inside as the doors stayed closed. Eventually, the train moved forward to the next station, where the doors were finally opened, allowing passengers to exit safely.
Commuters reported that the station resembled a waterlogged pond after the rain. Once the metro doors opened, water even began seeping into the train. Escalators were non-functional, submerged in water up to two steps. As passengers climbed the stairs to exit, they had to wade through water pouring in like a waterfall. The upper level of the station was littered with mud and debris, including empty snack packets and plastic bottles washed in by the rain.
Outside the station, roadwork is underway at various metro locations, including Worli. Construction for the next phase of Metro Line 3 continues in the area. It is believed that the rainwater from surrounding roads entered the station due to incomplete drainage infrastructure. This led to mud and sludge accumulating inside the station premises.
Monsoon Rains Disrupt Mumbai
The downpour, part of the advancing southwest monsoon, led to widespread waterlogging across the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) upgraded Mumbai’s weather status from a ‘yellow’ to an ‘orange’ alert early Monday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph. The alert remains in effect for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts until 8:30 AM on Tuesday, May 27. Daybreak saw the city reeling under the impact of relentless rain. Several key roads and low-lying areas were flooded, making morning commutes especially difficult. Visuals from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) showed dramatic lightning strikes lighting up a rain-drenched skyline, as early risers navigated the water-logged streets armed with umbrellas and raincoats.
Transport Chaos as Rail Lines Suffer
The city’s transport infrastructure bore the brunt of the weather. Central Railway services were hit particularly hard, with many local trains delayed or canceled due to submerged tracks. While emergency crews from both the Central Railway and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are working to restore normalcy, delays remain inevitable. Commuters are advised to check train schedules and plan travel accordingly. Significant waterlogging was reported from Masjid, Byculla, Andheri, Churchgate, and several other busy junctions, further slowing vehicular movement. Vehicles were seen crawling through knee-deep water, and traffic snarls were reported in multiple areas.
Authorities on High Alert
With the IMD forecasting continued rainfall and potential thunderstorms, emergency response teams have been placed on high alert. The BMC has appealed to citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and to avoid waterlogged areas. Efforts are underway to ensure that flooding is brought under control at critical transit points, including newly operational metro stations.