Mumbai is once again witnessing the full fury of the monsoon season as continuous heavy rainfall brings the city to a standstill. From waterlogged streets to overflowing lakes, transport chaos to collapsing roads, the financial capital of India is battling one of its worst rain-related challenges of 2025.
Powai Lake Overflows After Intense Rainfall
Early Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that Powai Lake, one of Mumbai’s important artificial water bodies, began overflowing around 6 AM. This incident was triggered by intense rainfall in the catchment areas over the last 48 hours.
According to official updates, Powai Lake’s water level has now reached 195.10 feet, breaching its designed capacity. The lake, capable of storing 545 crore litres of water, is primarily used for non-potable and industrial purposes, especially serving regions like Aarey Milk Colony.
While Powai Lake does not supply drinking water to the city, its overflow signals the intensity of the ongoing monsoon showers. Overflowing lakes often contribute to flooding in nearby low-lying areas, adding more pressure on Mumbai’s already stretched civic infrastructure.
Waterlogging Hits Daily Life in Mumbai
As expected during Mumbai’s rainy season, waterlogging was reported across several key locations in the city. Daily commuters faced massive challenges navigating flooded roads. Mumbai’s suburban railway network, often referred to as the lifeline of the city, was severely disrupted:
- Central and Western Railway Lines reported delays of up to 30 minutes.
- Low-lying areas like Sion, Kurla, Andheri, and Dadar witnessed ankle to knee-deep water.
- Office-goers and students were seen wading through flooded streets in knee-deep water during peak hours.
Local train delays often lead to massive crowding on platforms, making daily commuting a nightmare for Mumbaikars during the monsoon.
Air Travel Disrupted as Visibility Drops
Not just the roads and rails, Mumbai’s air traffic also took a hit due to persistent downpours. IndiGo Airlines issued an official advisory urging passengers to keep extra travel time in hand due to reduced visibility and traffic congestion on roads leading to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
Passengers were advised to constantly monitor real-time flight schedules as departures and arrivals were experiencing intermittent delays due to weather disruptions.
Vashi Plaza Road Collapse Adds to the Chaos
While Mumbai grappled with its usual waterlogging woes, an alarming incident was reported from Navi Mumbai’s Vashi Plaza Commercial Complex. On Monday, a portion of a road collapsed after incessant rainfall lashed the area.
Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed shocking scenes of two-wheelers and four-wheelers stuck in the damaged section of the road. The sudden collapse created panic among local shopkeepers and residents, while fire officials and civic workers rushed to the spot for damage control.
Fortunately, no major injuries were reported, but the incident caused significant damage to both public infrastructure and private vehicles.
Civic Authorities on High Alert
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and surrounding regions over the next few days, BMC and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) have put all teams on high alert.
Mumbai’s Annual Infrastructure Stress Test
Every year, Mumbai’s monsoon becomes a true test of its civic preparedness. While significant improvements have been made over the years with enhanced pumping stations and flood forecasting systems, the combination of aging drainage infrastructure and unplanned urbanization continues to challenge the city’s resilience.
The Vashi road collapse is a grim reminder of how urban infrastructure vulnerabilities can turn into public safety hazards during heavy monsoons.
Click here to watch the video of Powai Lake overflowing and Mumbai’s rain chaos.
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