The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall in the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — covering Mumbai city and suburbs — for today, Tuesday, 19th August. Continuous rainfall is being reported across Mumbai.

In view of this situation, as the District Disaster Management Authority has declared a holiday today for all government and semi-government offices, including BMC offices, except for essential services.

Furthermore, all private offices and establishments in the Mumbai Metropolitan area are urgently requested to instruct their employees to work from home depending on the nature of their operations, and to avoid unnecessary travel, as per the appeal issued by the BMC.

As per IMD data, from 8.30 am of 18th August to 8.30 am of 19th August, the areas which received highest rainfall include: 

Vikhroli 255.5 mm

Byculla 241.0 mm

Santacruz 238.2 mm

Juhu 221.5 mm

Bandra 211.0 mm

Colaba 110.4 mm

Mahalaxmi 72.5 mm

Mumbai: Heavy rains that have lashed the city over the past two days triggered a minor landslip-like incident in Chembur on Sunday evening, when a retaining wall built on a hill suddenly collapsed onto a cluster of hutments in Ashok Nagar near Vashi Naka.

The incident occurred around 7 pm, damaging at least seven houses, though no injuries were reported. A video of the incident has gone viral on the internet showing exact moments of the wall collapse.

According to officials, the wall, constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), gave way under pressure from continuous showers. Residents in the area noticed cracks and falling debris and rushed out of their homes in time, averting what could have been a major tragedy. Fortunately, people managed to get out quickly, otherwise the collapse could have caused casualties, an official confirmed.

Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reached the site shortly after being alerted. The debris was cleared and rescue operations were carried out to ensure no one was trapped under the rubble. The BMC then arranged temporary shelter for the affected families at Marvali Church in Chembur, where basic facilities have been provided.

Local MLA Sana Malik Visits Site

Anushakti Nagar MLA Sana Malik Shaikh visited the site with her team to oversee relief measures. She instructed immediate arrangements for temporary rehabilitation and assured the affected residents that assistance would continue until they could safely return to their homes.

“In New Ashok Nagar, a retaining wall collapsed, leading to damage to unoccupied homes and minor impact on others below. Thankfully, there was no loss of life. Instructions have been given to urgently provide shelter and basic facilities for the affected families,” Shaikh posted on X, sharing images from the site.

The MLA also confirmed that the Disaster Management Department coordinated with the M/East Ward Maintenance Department, Fire Brigade, and RCF Police Station to respond swiftly to the situation. RCF Police officials conducted a preliminary panchnama on Sunday, while a detailed survey is scheduled to be carried out by the District Collector’s office.

Mumbai: A fresh political storm has erupted in Maharashtra after NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar accused Minister Sanjay Shirsath of handing over prime 15-acre CIDCO land in Navi Mumbai, valued at nearly Rs 5,000 crore, to the heirs of the Bivalkar family, allegedly bypassing rules.

Pawar claimed that the land, reserved for housing projects for the poor and the agrarian community, was given away during Shirsath’s first meeting as CIDCO chairman in 2024. He alleged that the move amounted to “betrayal of local sons of the soil,” who have been struggling for years to obtain land rights.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pawar further alleged that the Bivalkar family was originally rewarded by the British with over 4,000 acres in Navi Mumbai for their role in siding against the Maratha Empire. Following independence, and under various laws and government decisions, the land was vested with the state. “Despite repeated attempts, the family’s claims were rejected. Yet, Shirsath Saheb, ignoring all norms, handed over 15 acres back to them,” Pawar alleged.

Pawar said the land could have been used to construct 10,000 affordable houses, benefiting thousands of needy families. Instead, he alleged, “the rightful share of the poor has been gifted to the heirs of those who once sided with colonial powers.”

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has announced a protest march at the CIDCO office in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, August 20, at 11 am, demanding that the land allocation be scrapped and that Minister Shirsath resign immediately. Pawar has also urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take cognizance of the matter and act.