Maharashtra
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Uddhav Thackeray Hints At Chief Ministerial Ambitions After Meeting With Congress Leaders In Delhi

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday dropped hints that he was ready to be projected as the chief ministerial face in Maharashtra.
Thackeray’s comments came on a day when he met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and other INDIA bloc representatives in New Delhi.
Thackeray was accompanied by his son Aaditya and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut. “The farmers and youngsters of Maharashtra are fed up with the opportunistic BJP-led alliance. The 13 crore people of Maharashtra are looking towards change,” Kharge said on X after the meeting.
Gandhi said the meeting with Thackeray was held in the context of the upcoming assembly election in Maharashtra. “The Maha Vikas Aghadi will contest the election together and win,” he said on his WhatsApp channel.
Thackeray also met NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, who had played a key role in stitching together the MVA coalition after the 2019 assembly election. Thackeray, who steered Maharashtra during Covid-19, said he had never dreamt of becoming chief minister.
“Ask them if they want me as the chief minister,” he said to questions of being projected as the chief ministerial face of the MVA alliance. “I had not dreamt of being a chief minister, nor I wanted to. But I am also not one who runs away from responsibility. I took up the responsibility and tried to deliver to the best of my abilities,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray was scheduled to meet former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday. Meanwhile, in Mumbai Mahayuti leaders criticised Thackeray for the visit. “He is begging for the CM’s chair and forgetting what the late Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray taught the Shiv Sainiks,” Thane MP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Naresh Mhaske said.
“Balasaheb was keen to finish off the Congress and had even raised questions about Sonia Gandhi’s contribution to India. Now his son can express apology for what the late leader had said,” he said.
When Pune is witnessing a deluge-like situation, Thackeray could have visited the city. Instead he chose to go to Delhi, Mhaske said. BJP city unit chief Ashish Shelar said Thackeray had gone to Delhi to “clean Congressmen’s utensils”.
“Thackeray has gone to Delhi not to raise issues affecting women, farmers or youths of Maharashtra. He has gone to the national capital to seek Congress’ support as he wants to become chief minister again,” Shelar said.
Maharashtra
Mumbai News Updates: City Under Red Alert, Heavy Rains Cause Waterlogging In Sion, Andheri, Bandra & Dadar

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up on Monday morning to dark, cloudy skies and persistent heavy rainfall, marking the third consecutive day of intense showers across the city. Heavy rainfall is expected to cause traffic disruption and delays in public transport.
12:20 PM
Visuals show waterlogging in Tilak Nagar area near Chembur. Commuters and vehicles wading through flooded streets.
Holiday Declared For Schools & Colleges Amid Heavy Rains
BMC shared an update on X informing the citizens about the weather warning, upgraded from orange to red alert. The civic body also announced a holiday for schools and colleges across the city.
Mumbai Under Red Alert!
IMD upgrades weather warning for Mumbai from orange to red alert. The weather department also warned of extermely heavy showers to lash the city in next few hours.
11:20 AM
Mumbai Police Commissioner issues advisory cautioning citizens of extreme conditions. “Please avoid non-essential travel, plan your commute with care, and step out only if necessary,” urged the police force chief in an update on X.
11:00 AM
BMC Issues Warning Of Extremely Heavy Rainfall Over the Next Three to Four hours.
The weather department in Mumbai shares data on rainfall recorded across city this morning. The data shows rainfall recorded across city between 9:00 am and 10:00 am.
Avg Rainfall details frm 0900 hrs to 1000 hrs :
CT- 37 mm
ES- 39 mm
WS- 29 mm
Rainfall details frm 0900 hrs to 1000 hrs:
CT- Pratiksha Nagar Mun. School, Sion, Worli Seaface Mun. School, Worli- 37mm, B Nadkarni Park Mun. School, Wadala- 34, Frosberry Reserviour- 33, Municipal Head Office- 30, Rawali Camp, City Institute of DM, Sewri Koliwada Mun. School, Sewri – 29, SWD Workshop Dadar- 27, D Ward Office, F North Ward Office ES-26
ES- Chembur Fire Station-65mm, Shivaji Nagar Mun School -50, Vaibhava Nagar Mun school-49, Mankhurd fire stn-48, Collector colony mun school chembur-46, Nutan Vidya Mandir -44, MPS Maharashtra Nagar Mun School Mankhurd -43, M/E, M/W ward office-42, Tagore Nagar Mun School Vikhroli -42, BP office Vikhroli West-38, Rambai Mun school Ghatkoper-37, Vikhroli fire stn-36, MCMCR Powai-35
WS: Bandra fire stan-2mm, Versova pumping stn-24, BKC fire stn, Marol fire stn-23
10:10 AM
BMC shares video of Hindmata flooding amid heavy rains. “All seven pumps at the Hindmata Pumping Station are in operation for draining rainwater from the Hindmata area. Traffic in the area is presently smooth and unobstructed,” posted the civic body on X.
Traffic Jams Reported Across City Amid Heavy Rains
Massive traffic jams were reported across the city during peak morning hours in the city. Traffic jams were reported at several places including Byculla, Eastern Freeway, P D Mello Road, Chembur, Kurla and Thane. Another long traffic jam was reported from Goregaon to Bandra in the peak morning hours.
Red Alert For Pune, Satara & Raigad
IMD issued a red alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Kolhapur and Pune, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall in these districts.
IndiGo Issues Travel Advisory For Passengers
IndiGo released a travel advisory on Monday morning, cautioning passengers about waterlogging on key arterial roads leading to the airport. The airline urged travelers to plan journeys with extra time in hand and to check flight status updates on digital platforms before leaving home.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Rain: All Schools & Colleges Closed Today Amid Red Alert Warning; Check Details

Mumbai: Mumbai is on high alert as torrential rains leading to severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several areas. In response, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, authorities have stepped in with urgent safety measures.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city today, August 18, including both government and private institutions.
The decision, announced by Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, is aimed at ensuring the safety of students as the downpour shows no signs of easing.
“Considering the continuous rainfall since morning and prioritizing student safety, all schools and colleges scheduled to function in the second session, i.e., after 12 noon, will remain closed today,” the BMC stated in tweet on X.
The alert is likely to last until Tuesday, and the government urges citizens to take appropriate precautions.
Residents have been urged to step out only when absolutely necessary, as several parts of the city continue to report flooding and transport delays. The civic body has also shared its control room helpline number 1916 for citizens requiring assistance or official information.
Meanwhile, parents and guardians have been advised to remain cautious and follow updates from the IMD and BMC as weather conditions may remain unstable in the coming hours.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Rains: Water Stock Levels In Seven Lakes Cross 91%; City Faces Heavy Monsoon Rain With Orange Alerts Till August 19

Mumbai: The city continues to reel under heavy monsoon showers as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Mumbai and its adjoining districts under an orange alert until August 19, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. Several districts including Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Kolhapur, and Pune remain on red alert due to the likelihood of extremely heavy downpours.
On Monday morning, torrential rain slowed traffic on the Western Express Highway near Vile Parle and caused delays on Central and Harbour railway lines. Waterlogging was reported in areas like Nalasopara and Wadala, while a powerful rain band dumped nearly 80 mm of rain per hour over Bandra and South Mumbai.
Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air issued advisories, urging passengers to plan airport travel in advance due to waterlogged roads leading to the airport.
Heavy rains have significantly increased Mumbai’s water stock, with the seven lakes supplying the city at 91.18% capacity as of August 18. Upper Vaitarna is at 87.13% capacity, while Modak Sagar is at 86.61%, having received 36 mm of rainfall. Tansa is nearly full at 98.81%, and Middle Vaitarna is at 97.34%. Bhatsa holds 89.82%. Vihar and Tulsi reservoirs are at 95.16% and 100%, respectively, with Tulsi Lake overflowing since August 16.
With a combined stock of 13.19 lakh million litres, the city now has a comfortable buffer, ensuring no immediate water shortage concerns despite the growing demand. For comparison, the total storage at this time last year was slightly higher at 93.04%.
However, officials warn that continued intense rainfall could lead to reservoir overflows and controlled releases from dams, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. The IMD has cautioned residents to remain alert until August 19, as heavy showers in short bursts could aggravate waterlogging, affect transport, and slow down daily life in the city.
Mumbai has already received 64% of its annual average rainfall this season, with the eastern suburbs recording the highest at 1,534 mm so far. With two more days of high alert, the city remains under close watch.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra11 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra10 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra11 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
Crime10 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
National News10 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News11 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface