Heavy Rains Batter Mumbai, Triggering Fatal Landslide and Severe Flooding
Intense overnight rainfall in Mumbai has caused widespread disruption, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a red alert for the city and five other districts. The downpour led to severe waterlogging, affecting suburban train services and road transport. In a tragic incident in the eastern suburb of Vikhroli, a landslide collapsed onto a hut, killing two people and injuring two others from the same family. Civic authorities have urged citizens to stay indoors and have deployed emergency response teams across the metropolis.
Unpacked:
The landslide in Vikhroli was triggered by intense rainfall, which caused soil and stones to slide from a hilly area onto a hut. Vikhroli is considered a landslide-prone zone due to its hilly terrain, informal settlements, and history of similar incidents during heavy monsoon rains.
Landslides and flooding are frequent in Mumbai’s monsoon season. In the last 29 years, about 290 people have died in landslides, and there are over 290 landslide-prone areas identified across the city, with Vikhroli and Bhandup being especially at risk.
Authorities have deployed emergency response teams, evacuated nearby homes, issued red alerts, and urged residents to stay indoors. Rescue operations were promptly conducted, and emergency services are monitoring high-risk areas while providing public advisories about travel and safety.
The heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging, disrupting suburban train services, causing major road traffic jams, and even affecting flight operations at Mumbai’s main airport. Many key city areas experienced flooding, and authorities advised people to avoid non-essential travel.