Heavy rain batters Mumbai: Traffic chokes, trains delayed, Andheri subway shut again; police urge citizens to stay indoors

NEW DELHI: Heavy rain lashed Mumbai and surrounding districts on Friday, slowing down traffic, causing waterlogging at key junctions, and delaying suburban train services. In view of the downpour, the Mumbai Police issued an advisory urging citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, avoid coastal areas, and drive with caution.“Our officials and staff are on high alert and ready to assist Mumbaikars,” police said in a post on X, adding that citizens can reach out on emergency helplines — 100, 112, or 103 — for assistance.Local train services on the Central Railway were operational but delayed. Main Line trains were running 10–12 minutes behind schedule, while Harbour Line services were delayed by 7–8 minutes. Railway officials cited low visibility and safety protocols amid the heavy rain for the delays.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a nowcast warning, forecasting moderate to intense rainfall over parts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Pune. Mumbai recorded light to moderate rain in the past 24 hours. As per BMC data (till 8am on July 25), the Island City received 29.40 mm of rainfall, Eastern Suburbs 29.44 mm, and Western Suburbs 18.88 mm.Traffic congestion was reported across key arterial roads. Heavy snarls were seen on the Western Express Highway near NESCO in Goregaon East, and on the Eastern Express Highway along the Vikhroli–Chheda Nagar stretch and the Amar Mahal–Sion corridor. The Andheri subway, which had earlier been cleared, had to be shut again due to fresh waterlogging.Authorities have advised commuters to plan their travel carefully, with intermittent heavy showers likely to continue through the day.