Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday functioned only till 12.30 pm due to incessant rains in the city. The normal working hours for the HC are from 11am to 5pm.

Red Alert Issued by IMD

The notice was issued after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mumbai and adjoining districts on Tuesday.

Heavy rains battered Mumbai on Tuesday, affecting road and rail traffic and leading to the closure of government offices.

Court Notice on Shortened Hours

The high court, in a notice issued in the morning, said due to heavy rains and bad weather forecast as well as difficulties for advocates and staff members in commuting, all courts will function only till 12.30pm.

“All the officials / staff members are permitted to leave the office by 1pm,” the notice said. A day after rains pounded the city, heavy showers continued on Tuesday as well, severely affecting the city’s normal life.

Lawyers Argue Online, Matters Adjourned

Many lawyers appeared through video conference facility to argue their cases before the high court on Monday and Tuesday. Even as many lawyers were unable to appear either physically or online, the high court did not pass any adverse orders and adjourned the matter for hearing next week.

As the courts were unable to hear all the matters listed for hearing on Tuesday, the courts extended interim reliefs granted, if any, while adjourning the matters.

Mumbai, August 19: Mumbai is reeling under heavy rains for the second consecutive day. Several areas in the city are witnessing waterlogging due to the heavy rains and high tide in the sea. Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are on high alert to provide immediate help to the citizens stranded due to the flooding.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Tuesday addressed the media and released a video on social media in the presence of Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani.

He assured the citizens that all necessary help will be provided as the city faces heavy rainfall. Addressing the media, he said that Mumbai Police and the BMC control rooms are working round the clock to ensure essential services reach people without disruption.

Earlier in the morning, at around 9 AM, the official handle of the Mumbai Police tweeted a safety message for citizens. “Good Morning Mumbai. Hope you are adhering to the safety guidelines in wake of the heavy showers expected today. Please take care, step out only if necessary, prevent going near the shore during high tide and don’t forget, you will find us around the corner for help, in case of any emergency,” the tweet read.

A similar advisory was also posted by the CPMumbai handle, urging people to step out only if absolutely necessary. Citizens were asked to avoid beaches during high tide and assured that police will be available in case of emergencies.

The advisory also appealed to private companies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible to reduce travel during the ongoing weather conditions. Authorities have asked everyone to follow safety guidelines strictly and remain indoors unless it is urgent to step out.

Key Safety Guidelines

Mumbaikars are urged to follow the safety guidelines issued by the authorities and adviced to remain safe during the heavy rains amid waterlogging.

1. Step out only if absolutely necessary.

2. Avoid non-essential travel during heavy rainfall.

3. Stay indoors unless urgent work requires going out.

4. Strictly avoid beaches and shoreline areas during high tide.

5. Maintain distance from water bodies that may be experiencing elevated levels.

6. Private companies urged to facilitate work-from-home arrangements.

7. Employers asked to minimise employee travel requirements during adverse weather.

Emergency Response

Both Mumbai Police and BMC control rooms are functioning round-the-clock to handle emergency situations and coordinate relief efforts.

Police personnel have been strategically positioned across the city to provide immediate assistance to citizens in distress.

Mumbai: Continuous heavy rainfall on Tuesday caused severe waterlogging across several areas of the city, disrupting both road and rail traffic. Local train services, the city’s lifeline, were heavily impacted, leaving many commuters stranded at railway stations for hours.

In a prompt response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stepped in to assist those affected. BMC officials distributed essential items such as drinking water, tea, biscuits, and snacks to stranded passengers at multiple railway stations, including major junctions.

Visuals from various locations showed civic workers handing out refreshments as trains came to a standstill due to flooding on the tracks. The gesture was widely appreciated on social media, with many users thanking the authorities for their timely support during a difficult commute.

In the video shared by the BMC, officials are seen distributing essential food items inside Mumbai local train coaches and at various railway stations. Authorities also assisted commuters stuck on roads, helping those facing difficulties in travelling due to the ongoing heavy rainfall.

As heavy rains continue to batter Mumbai for the fourth consecutive day, the city’s police force has stepped up to support citizens affected by widespread waterlogging. From clearing flooded roads to assisting with stranded vehicles, Mumbai Police remain committed to helping Mumbaikars navigate the chaos.

At Shirodkar Market in Parel, police officers were seen helping to move a vehicle stuck in deep water, making sure no resident was left stranded. Likewise, at Oberoi Junction, where traffic had slowed significantly due to water accumulation, Mumbai Police personnel, along with @mybmc staff, were present on-site to assist commuters and manage the situation.

A video shared on the official X handle of the Mumbai Police shows officers actively helping citizens during heavy rainfall. From pushing auto-rickshaws to guiding cars through flooded roads, the police are doing everything they can to ensure public safety and keep traffic moving smoothly.