Heavy Rainfall Paralyzes Mumbai; Dadar Station Tracks Waterlogged
Mumbai has recorded over 300 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) records from 8:00 am yesterday to 7:00 am today. The relentless downpour has led to severe waterlogging across the city, with railway tracks at Dadar Station submerged, disrupting suburban train services.
Visuals from Dadar Station showed water overflowing onto the tracks, forcing authorities to suspend operations on certain lines. Commuters faced long delays as trains were either cancelled or ran at reduced speeds. The BMC has deployed pumps to drain the water, but the situation remains critical.
Retaining Wall Collapses in Vikhroli West
In a separate incident, a retaining wall adjacent to a residential building collapsed late last night in Mumbai's Vikhroli West area. No casualties have been reported so far, but debris blocked a nearby road, causing traffic disruptions. Local authorities have cordoned off the area and are assessing the structural stability of the building. More details are awaited from the BMC and the disaster management cell.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
The heavy rains have also triggered a political controversy. Professor Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, a political figure, launched a scathing attack on the Mumbai Mayor, accusing the administration of corruption and negligence. In a statement, she said, "Before telling opponents to work on the streets, look at the citizen who has fallen into a pothole in front of you. That person is stuck in the pit of your inaction and corruption. This is not an accident, but your corruption has been caught red-handed."
The remark came after the Mayor had earlier suggested that opposition leaders should step out to help with relief work instead of criticizing. The exchange highlights the growing frustration among citizens and political rivals over the city's inadequate drainage infrastructure and slow response to annual flooding.
Mumbai, which receives heavy monsoon rains every year, has often faced criticism for its inability to manage waterlogging. The BMC has announced that all emergency services are on high alert and urged residents to stay indoors unless necessary.
