Mumbai rain: Work from home, train cancellations and all you need to know before stepping out

The Maharashtra government on Monday advised private offices in Mumbai to allow employees to work from home and announced a half-day for non-essential government and semi-government offices as heavy rain and strong winds battered the city.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) issued the advisory after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded a 'red' alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 80-90 kmph.

"In view of the current weather situation, private offices are advised to allow work from home wherever possible. Non-essential government offices will observe a half-day," the SDMA said in a post on X.

BMC issues safety advisory

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urged residents not to step out unless absolutely necessary and warned people to stay away from trees, dilapidated buildings, hoardings, electric poles, beaches and waterlogged areas.

The civic body said around 15,000 BMC personnel, along with other agencies, were working round the clock, while senior officials were monitoring the situation.

The BMC also issued a detailed safety advisory for construction sites, directing developers and contractors to secure scaffolding, cranes, loose materials, temporary structures and hoardings, suspend lifting operations and work at heights wherever weather conditions posed a risk, and carry out immediate site-wide safety inspections.

Schools, colleges shut

The authorities had declared a holiday for all government, private and civic-run schools and colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar on Monday.

The University of Mumbai has postponed all examinations scheduled for July 6 in view of the heavy to very heavy rainfall warning issued by the India Meteorological Department and concerns over students' safety.

Landslides disrupt Mumbai-Pune rail connectivity

The weather conditions severely affected rail traffic on one of the country's busiest corridors.

Train services on the Mumbai-Pune route were suspended after multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Bhor Ghat section early Monday.

The Central Railway also suspended suburban services between Karjat and Khopoli in neighbouring Raigad district after heavy rain washed away the ballast between Lowjee and Dolavli stations.

Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila said restoration work was underway and services would resume only after tracks were declared safe.

The Karjat-Khopoli section is part of Mumbai's suburban railway network and is used by thousands of commuters daily.

Tracks were also submerged at a few locations, including the Palghar and Virar-Vasai Road sections, slowing train movement.

Local train services between Kanjurmarg and Bhandup on slow line towards CSMT was halted temporarily because a piece of plastic got stuck on over head extension. The services were restored at 12.11 pm after removal of the plastic.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said he had reviewed the situation and directed officials of Western and Central Railways to work together for the earliest possible restoration of services.

"I have reviewed the situation arising out of heavy landslides and boulders falling onto the railway tracks in the Mumbai-Pune Ghat section. The team is fully geared up for restoration. Heavy rainfall is expected today as well," he told PTI.

According to railway officials, landslides occurred near Thakurwadi and between Khandala and Monkey Hill around 3.05 am, disrupting all three railway lines in the Bhor Ghat section.

Passengers advised to check train status

The disruption led to the cancellation of several trains, including the CSMT-Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express and Dhule Express.

Several other trains were cancelled, diverted, short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled.

Railway authorities advised passengers to check the latest train status before commencing their journey and set up helplines at CSMT, Thane, Lonavala and Dadar stations.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan appealed to people not to step out unless absolutely necessary and urged political parties not to politicise the situation.

"People should not venture out today at all. Please do not go out for tourism. We will soon announce the closure of offices, schools and colleges. Please do not venture out," he told reporters.

Mahajan said wind speeds, which touched 50-60 kmph on Sunday, were expected to increase to 70-90 kmph on Monday, posing a serious threat to life and property.

He said trees had fallen in several parts of Mumbai, damaging vehicles, and warned that police would be forced to take firm action if people ignored restrictions.

The minister added that it would take another three to four days of rainfall for water levels in dams across Maharashtra to improve significantly, while expressing hope for good rainfall in the catchment areas.