Mumbai heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday as sunlight broke through after nearly a week of incessant rainfall, easing waterlogging that had crippled transport and daily life in the city.
With roads, rail tracks and the airport runway gradually cleared of water, schools and colleges reopened, and no fresh advisories were issued for flight or train disruptions. Bus and suburban train services were reported largely normal, officials said.
Rainfall in the metropolis fell sharply from Wednesday, with no overnight showers, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The agency has forecast “cloudy sky with moderate rain” until August 25 and continues to maintain a yellow alert for the city, signalling potentially adverse weather that could cause localised disruption.
“The overall rain situation in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra is pretty much under control, though some areas were still witnessing heavy rainfall,” said Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Also read: Mumbai Rains: IMD red alert, trains hit, varsity exams postpone
On Wednesday, suburban train services on the Central Railway’s Harbour line between CSMT and Panvel resumed after a 15-hour disruption, bringing relief to thousands of commuters. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking said all its bus routes were operational.
Earlier this week, incessant downpours had paralysed India’s financial capital, forcing authorities to shift hundreds of residents from flood-hit areas. A viral video showed floodwater entering actor Amitabh Bachchan’s Juhu residence, Prateeksha.
The extreme conditions also led to a dramatic rescue on Tuesday evening when 782 passengers were evacuated after two overcrowded Monorail trains were stranded on elevated tracks due to torrential rain.
Crops in several districts across Maharashtra were also damaged in the spell of heavy rain, even as the IMD assured the easing pattern would likely bring further relief in the coming days.
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