MUMBAI: Persistent heavy rains have battered Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai and the Konkan regions of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg, as well as Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli in Vidarbha. While no major calamities have been reported today, flooding has trapped people in low-lying areas and fallen trees have caused property damage. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for many parts of the state and predicts the heavy rainfall will continue until mid-next week. 

In Nagpur, the heavy rain has disrupted daily life, leading authorities to evacuate residents to safer areas. Schools and colleges were closed as a precaution. Around 50 students were stranded in their college in Hudkeshwar Nagar due to flooding but were later rescued. The IMD has forecasted continued heavy rainfall in Nagpur and other Vidarbha districts over the next two days.

Mumbai has experienced significant waterlogging over the past two days due to continuous rains. The Western Express Highway and low-lying areas in Vile Parle are flooded, causing traffic disruptions. Over the weekend, the city recorded over 100 mm of rain for three consecutive days, with 93 mm of rain between Saturday and Sunday morning, according to the IMD.

On Sunday, torrential downpours continued, with some areas receiving over 130 mm of rain. Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation shows that between 8 am and 2 pm, Trombay recorded 142 mm of rain, Ghatkopar 132.6 mm, Mankhurd 132 mm, Santacruz 127.8 mm, and BKC 119 mm, among other areas.

The heavy rain has caused waterlogging in low-lying areas such as the subways at Andheri, Malad, Dahisar, Mankhurd, Khar, and Poisar. Authorities are on high alert as more rain is expected in the coming days. Several roads have been closed and traffic rerouted due to the flooding. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Mumbai has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, effective until July 24.

From July 18 to 21, Mumbai experienced continuous heavy rain, with south Mumbai receiving 326 mm of rain over 72 hours. On Saturday, several areas recorded 100 mm of rain, with Sewri Koliwada receiving 114 mm, Lower Parel 112 mm, Trombay 110 mm, and Wadala 104 mm. The IMD recorded 52 mm of rain in Santacruz and 20.6 mm in Colaba between 8:30 am and 5 pm.

While the central National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams continue to be on high alert, in response to the heavy rain in Mumbai and the coastal Konkan region, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed officials to remain on high alert. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, civic bodies, and police have been directed to regularly update themselves on the weather conditions from the IMD and plan relief efforts accordingly.