Maharashtra weather update (19 August 2025): Heavy rains lash Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad under red alert. Schools and offices shut, 250+ flights delayed, local trains hit. Floods submerge Vasai-Virar and Nanded villages; Army steps in for rescue.
Maharashtra Weather Today: Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad on Red Alert as Rains Bring Life to a Standstill
A City Drowning, A State on Edge
The sound of heavy rain on rooftops has become a constant in Mumbai. What began as just another monsoon deluge has now escalated into something far more frightening. On August 19, 2025, Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad awoke to a red alarm. Streets are rivers, homes are partially submerged, and thousands of families are battling to get through the day.
Government Scrambles into Action
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar rushed to the State Emergency Control Room in Mantralaya. His face told the story—concern mixed with urgency. Maharashtra’s leaders know the rains have gone beyond “seasonal showers.”
Meanwhile, in Jalgaon, the Kasura River swelled out of control. The Srishti Bridge collapsed, leaving villagers stranded and blocking the Shegaon–Pandharpur highway. For the people living nearby, it wasn’t just an “alert.” It was survival.
Travel Turns Into a Nightmare
At Mumbai Airport, frustrated passengers sat in crowded terminals as more than 250 flights were cancelled or delayed. Some people had been waiting for hours with no clue when they would finally leave.
The train system—the city’s lifeline—fought to stay alive. But even the tough Harbour Line slowed down. In Andheri West, water swallowed SV Road. Police stood guard, warning people: “Don’t risk walking here.”
In Vasai–Virar, entire neighborhoods—Vishal Nagar, H Colony, Vidyamandir Road—disappeared under water. Families were trapped in their homes, waving from windows as rescue boats tried to reach them.
Schools Closed, Offices Silent
For parents in Mumbai, there was a sigh of relief when the BMC declared schools and offices shut. No one wanted their children on buses navigating flooded roads. Only essential workers continued to step out, braving the chaos.
Flooded Homes, Waiting for Rescue
In Mithagar, 200 to 400 people were stuck inside their homes. For hours, they waited—no food deliveries, no escape—just rain hammering their rooftops.
In Nanded, when the Lendi River overflowed, 50 villagers found themselves trapped. This time, the Army stepped in. Soldiers, doctors, and rescue teams moved quickly, proving yet again how crucial their role is in times of crisis.
Record-Breaking Rainfall
If numbers could tell emotions, these would scream:
Vikhroli – 255.5 mm
Byculla – 241 mm
Santacruz – 238.2 mm
Juhu – 221.5 mm
Bandra – 211 mm
For Mumbaikars, these aren’t just statistics—they’re hours of waiting in traffic, days of damp walls, and nights spent without electricity.
Why Is It Raining So Much?
Weather experts say a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has merged with a trough over the Arabian Sea. Think of it as two massive systems shaking hands, then dragging millions of liters of water over Maharashtra.
Fields Destroyed, Farmers Desperate
It’s not just cities under water. In the countryside, farmers are watching helplessly as 400,000 hectares of crops get destroyed. Devendra Fadnavis admitted the scale of the damage is still being assessed, but the heartbreak is already visible.
Seven Lives Lost, Many More Shaken
In Virar, shocking visuals showed streets transformed into rivers. In Mumbai’s Sion, a school bus carrying children got stuck. For parents, those few minutes must have felt like hours, until police waded through waist-deep water to bring the kids out safely.
Across the state, seven people have already lost their lives to the rains. Families are mourning, while others cling to hope their loved ones make it home safe.
Roads Choked, Subway Shut
The Andheri subway has turned into a giant pool with nearly 1.5 feet of water. The Eastern Freeway and Western Express Highway—roads that usually keep Mumbai moving—were reduced to endless traffic jams. Areas like Matunga, Khar, Vakola, and Sion were no longer “roads.” They were waterlogged traps.
More Rain on the Way
If Mumbaikars hoped for sunshine, the forecast crushed those dreams. Half of Maharashtra is still under red or orange alert until August 21. And if Monday’s 170 mm of rain in just eight hours was any clue, the coming days may bring even worse.
A Plea for Safety
Police and civic bodies are begging citizens: Stay indoors. Don’t take risks. Visibility is poor, waters are rising, and help lines—100, 112, and 103—are open for anyone in need.
“This happens every single year,” residents say with frustration. “No matter which government is in power, people’s suffering doesn’t lessen. Officials never prepare properly, even though they know the monsoon comes back every year.”
For now, Maharashtra waits, watches the skies, and hopes the rains show mercy.