Maharashtra Monsoon Mayhem: Orange Alert In Mumbai, 3 Deaths in Pune as Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc | Top Developments

New Delhi: Amid escalating monsoon fury in Maharashtra, the authorities have ordered the closure of all government, private, and civic-run schools and colleges on Tuesday in Mumbai (July 7). The urgent safety measure comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, warning of torrential downpours and fierce, gusty winds threatening to paralyse the metropolis.

In a statement released late Monday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced the closure, emphasising that the decision was made to prioritize student safety given the predicted weather conditions.

The civic body has urged residents to step out only when necessary and advised them to reach out to the emergency helpline at 1916 should any emergencies arise.

Additionally, the administration has strongly advised all residents to strictly adhere to all official guidelines and safety protocols. This closure follows a day of relentless monsoon rains that lashed Mumbai and various parts of Maharashtra, causing significant disruption to road, rail, and air travel and hindering daily life. 

Educational institutions across the city were also closed on Monday following a red alert issued by the IMD for heavy rainfall.

State-Wide Crisis and Casualties

The heavy spell has left a trail of destruction across Maharashtra as in a tragic development in Pune district, a rain-triggered landslide in Patan village (Maval tehsil) claimed the lives of three family members. 

Rescue operations were launched immediately, though heavy, incessant rainfall hampered recovery efforts throughout the day.  

Meanwhile, the cumulative death toll in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) from various rain-related incidents, including structural collapses, tree falls, and drowning, has reached 10.

WFH advisory

Amid relentless heavy rainfall that has disrupted normal life across Mumbai, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday issued a work-from-home advisory for private offices and announced a half-day for employees in non-essential government offices to minimise travel and ensure public safety.

"In view of the current weather situation, SDMA has issued directions for Mumbai only: private offices are advised to allow work from home wherever possible. Non-essential government offices will observe a half-day," the authority said.

Fadnavis chairs meeting

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday chaired a high-level meeting at the Disaster Control Room in Mantralaya to review the situation after heavy rains and landslides lashed various parts of the state, leaving at least seven people dead in rain-related incidents across Mumbai.

Multiple fatal incidents.

Amidst all this, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported multiple fatal incidents. In Mankhurd, six people lost their lives following a building collapse. 

In a separate incident in Kurla (West), a 63-year-old man died after a tree fell on a road near Nehru Nagar. 

Across the city, the BMC received 423 complaints of tree or branch falls and 29 complaints of wall or house collapses. In Jogeshwari, seven people were injured when a tree collapsed on a house, while two others were injured in Worli in a similar mishap.

Transport services in the region have been severely impacted. On the Central Railway, services between Karjat and Khopoli remain suspended, while Western Railway services between Vasai and Virar are also halted. The CM noted that Palghar and Vasai-Virar are among the worst-affected areas.

Transport and Infrastructure Disruption

The severe weather has caused widespread chaos across the state's vital infrastructure.

Rail: Severe landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section have heavily impacted the Mumbai-Pune rail corridor, leading to numerous cancellations and diversions.  

Air: Nearly 250 flights at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have faced delays or cancellations over the last 24 hours, with temporary suspensions of runway operations due to low visibility and high winds.

Road: Key routes, including sections of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, have faced temporary closures due to debris and safety concerns, further paralyzing transit.  

This closure follows a day of extreme distress on Monday, during which the city was under a red alert. While the alert has been downgraded to orange for Tuesday, authorities continue to warn that the risk of localized flooding, waterlogging, and further structural instability remains high.  

Also Read: 'Can Knock Down Their Bridges in One Hour': Either A Deal With Iran Else US Will Finish the Job, Warns Trump