Raigad, July 6: Relentless monsoon rains continued to lash large parts of Maharashtra, severely affecting Raigad district, the Konkan region, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran and the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Heavy rainfall has led to flooding, landslides, road closures and major travel disruptions, prompting authorities to remain on high alert.

Several routes leading to popular hill stations, including Mahabaleshwar and Matheran, have been affected due to heavy rain, waterlogging and landslide threats. Tourist movement has been significantly impacted as authorities continue to monitor the situation and implement safety measures wherever required.

Traffic on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway has been disrupted at several stretches because of poor visibility, continuous rainfall and slippery road conditions. Motorists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel through ghat sections and drive with extreme caution.

Raigad district has witnessed rising river levels, overflowing streams and localized flooding in low-lying villages. Disaster response teams and local authorities remain deployed in vulnerable areas to respond swiftly to any emergency.

Across the Konkan region, continuous rainfall has caused waterlogging, damage to rural roads and interruptions to transportation in several villages. Authorities are keeping a close watch on landslide-prone locations and riverbanks as the rain continues.

Emergency response teams, police, fire services and district disaster management authorities remain on standby across the affected regions. Rescue equipment and emergency personnel have been positioned at key locations to ensure immediate response if required.

Residents and travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, stay away from rivers, waterfalls and landslide-prone areas, and follow official safety instructions until weather conditions improve. Authorities continue to monitor the evolving monsoon situation and remain prepared for rescue and relief operations wherever necessary.

Mumbai, July 6: Heavy monsoon showers continued to batter Mumbai, Thane and surrounding areas on Monday, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion and disruptions to rail and road transport. Several low-lying areas witnessed flooding after continuous rainfall since late Sunday night, affecting normal life across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane and nearby districts, urging residents to remain cautious as strong winds and intense showers are expected to persist through the day.

Commuters faced delays on suburban railway services due to waterlogging and adverse weather conditions. Road traffic moved slowly on several major routes as vehicles navigated flooded stretches, while civic teams worked to clear blocked drains and remove fallen tree branches. Authorities also monitored vulnerable locations prone to flooding and landslides.

Emergency response teams from civic agencies, disaster management authorities, police, and the fire brigade remained deployed across Mumbai and Thane to respond to weather-related incidents. Residents living in low-lying areas have been advised to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel unless essential.

Air and rail passengers have been advised to check the latest status of their journeys before leaving for stations or airports, as intermittent delays and service adjustments may occur depending on weather conditions.

Authorities have appealed to citizens to stay away from waterlogged roads, open drains, seafronts and areas with weakened structures during periods of intense rainfall. Disaster management teams continue to monitor the evolving situation while civic agencies remain on standby for emergency response across the region.

With incessant heavy rainfall disrupting normal life in Maharashtra, state Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan on Monday urged citizens to avoid monsoon tourism and unnecessary outings, warning that strict action could be taken against those ignoring official advisories.

“The state is experiencing an exceptionally high volume of rainfall. Roads and railway routes have been shut down, and the Pune-Mumbai transport corridor is closed. Schools have been ordered to remain closed. A Disaster Management meeting has been convened at the Mantralaya in Mumbai. I strictly advise citizens against stepping out for tourism or sightseeing in Mumbai. We will announce further decisions shortly,” said the Minister.

The Minister further highlighted the danger posed by severe weather conditions. “Wind speeds have reached 70 to 90 km/h, causing trees to uproot across Mumbai. Despite this, people are gathering in crowds outdoors — please do not do this,” he added.

A red alert has been issued for several areas for Monday and Tuesday, with warnings of heavy downpours and stormy conditions.

Addressing public safety at tourist spots, Minister Mahajan warned, “Some people went to waterfalls recently and unfortunately lost their lives. If citizens do not listen to warnings, we will have to strictly enforce restrictions. This is a natural disaster; please cooperate instead of indulging in politics. If there is water leakage somewhere, it shouldn’t immediately be turned into a political issue. Tragically, six people have lost their lives in Mankhurd. The opposition should avoid actions that cause panic among the public.”

He also noted that while continuous rain has increased water levels in reservoirs, the catchment areas have not yet received as much rain as required, though levels are expected to rise further in the coming days.

Traffic between Pune and Mumbai has been significantly hit, with Raigad, Palghar, Mumbai, and Pune districts bearing the brunt of the torrential downpours. Against this backdrop, Minister Mahajan urged citizens to remain vigilant and issued crucial safety guidelines.

Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has issued instructions specifically for Mumbai. In light of the current weather conditions, private offices have been urged to allow their employees to work from home (WFH) wherever possible.

Additionally, it has been clarified that government offices — excluding essential services — will operate only for half the day. The SDMA has strongly advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and adhere strictly to official updates and warnings.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reiterated these warnings, noting that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with wind speeds expected to touch 80 to 90 km/h.