Monsoon – Heavy Rain Disrupts Transport and Triggers Rescue Operations Nationwide
Monsoon – Heavy monsoon rain swept across several parts of India on Wednesday, causing flooding, landslides, building collapses and major interruptions to road, rail and air travel. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan were among the states affected as authorities stepped up rescue work and issued weather warnings.
Maharashtra faces collapses, flooding and transport delays
In Pimpri Chinchwad near Pune, a large garbage mound collapsed onto a three-storey structure at Moshi, where a private firm was operating a waste-processing facility for the civic body. Officials said 11 people were feared trapped after the building gave way. Rescue teams continued efforts at the site.
Rainfall also raised water levels in rivers across Nashik district. The administration asked residents near the Godavari, Kadva and Girna rivers to move livestock, valuables and other belongings to safer locations as water was released from reservoirs, including Palkhed and the Nandur Madhmeshwar weir.
Rail services were affected in several areas. Trains between Neral and Karjat in Raigad were halted for nearly an hour after water from the swollen Ulhas river reached the tracks. Services on the Mumbai-Pune route were yet to return fully to normal following landslides in the Bhor Ghat section.
Mumbai services hit as rain returns
Mumbai received another spell of intense rain and thunderstorms after a short break, leading to waterlogging in several neighbourhoods. Suburban train services ran about 25 to 30 minutes behind schedule, affecting commuters during the day.
Long-distance trains heading towards Gujarat were also disrupted due to waterlogged tracks in the Vasai-Virar area of Palghar and at locations in south Gujarat. Nine Mumbai-bound flights were diverted because of poor visibility and adverse weather conditions, though all later returned and landed at Mumbai airport.
Civic officials said Tulsi Lake, one of Mumbai’s key drinking water reservoirs, began overflowing late Tuesday night. Vihar Lake had overflowed earlier after strong rain in its catchment area.
Surat records severe urban flooding
Surat witnessed one of the most serious rain situations, receiving 358 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning. Floodwater entered homes, shops and commercial buildings in several localities, while city bus operations were affected.
Officials said more than 3,400 people had been rescued and over 3,800 residents shifted from low-lying areas. Food packets were distributed to people stranded in waterlogged high-rise buildings. Nine deaths, including those linked to electrocution, drowning and tree falls, were reported in the district over recent days.
Centre reviews situation with affected states
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the chief ministers of Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir to review the rain-related emergency. According to officials, he assured them of support from the Centre as rescue and relief agencies responded to incidents in multiple regions.
In Kerala’s Wayanad, search teams continued looking for five people missing after a rain-soaked mound of excavated soil collapsed at a tunnel project site. The state government reviewed the operation as rescuers worked through unstable debris.
Delhi and northern states remain on alert
Persistent rain in Delhi caused waterlogging and traffic congestion across several roads, including Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and National Highway-48. The India Meteorological Department issued red and orange alerts for thunderstorms, lightning and further rainfall.
A building under construction collapsed in Rohini, killing one person and leading to the rescue of four others. Several people were feared trapped under the debris. Waterlogging was reported in areas such as Sadar Bazar, Greater Kailash, Badarpur and Swarup Nagar.
Rain also slowed traffic in Gurugram, where vehicles stalled on major routes. Rajasthan continued to receive widespread showers, while flash floods in Himachal Pradesh damaged a temporary bridge in Shimla district and cut off road links to nearby panchayats.
In Uttarakhand, landslide debris blocked around 70 roads. Authorities issued heavy rain alerts for several districts and ordered schools and anganwadi centres in Dehradun to remain closed on Thursday.
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