The monsoon season has intensified across India, causing significant disruptions in various regions. Mumbai, the financial capital, experienced severe waterlogging and flight delays, while the states of Kerala and Odisha faced weather alerts due to heavy rainfall.
Mumbai's Struggle with Heavy Rainfall and Waterlogging
On July 5, 2026, Mumbai was hit by heavy overnight rainfall resulting in widespread waterlogging and disruption to daily life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the city, forecasting continued downpours and isolated extremely heavy showers. Several areas in Mumbai recorded over 200 mm of rainfall, with some regions experiencing up to 300 mm in the last 24 hours.
The heavy rains caused severe waterlogging at key locations including the LTT railway station in Kurla and areas in Ghatkopar. Uprooted trees caused property damage and tragically resulted in two fatalities this year. The adverse weather also significantly impacted flight operations, with major airlines like IndiGo issuing advisories about delays.
Flight Disruptions at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport faced operational challenges due to the heavy rainfall. Runway operations were temporarily suspended for one hour, affecting several inbound and outbound flights. Passengers experienced average departure delays of 75 minutes and arrival delays of at least 28 minutes. Airport authorities cited strong gusty winds up to 42 knots and reduced visibility as primary reasons for the disruption.
Weather Alerts in Kerala and Odisha
In Kerala, the IMD issued orange alerts for Kannur and Kasaragod on July 6 and for Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod on July 7, warning of possible heavy rainfall. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority urged residents in landslide-, mudslide-, and flash flood-prone areas to move to safer locations if advised by authorities.
In Odisha, a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression, prompting the state to place all its districts on high alert. This system is expected to cross the north Odisha coast between Chandbali and Digha, bringing heavy rainfall to Odisha and West Bengal.
Widespread Rainfall in Delhi-NCR
Monsoon activity also brought widespread rainfall to Delhi and surrounding areas. Chhatarpur recorded the highest rainfall at 49 mm, followed by Gurugram with 35 mm. The IMD forecasted generally cloudy skies with moderate rain during the day, with maximum temperatures likely around 36 degrees Celsius.
Impact on Transportation and Daily Life
Heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Mumbai caused severe traffic jams, especially in Thane district due to rain-damaged roads. The IMD issued alerts for heavy rain, urging residents to stay indoors as conditions worsened. Odisha’s Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall in 24 years, with widespread rain expected across the state in coming days.
The intensified monsoon highlights the need for preparedness and timely response to mitigate the adverse effects of heavy rainfall and associated disruptions.