The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai on Wednesday as heavy rains caused severe waterlogging and widespread disruptions throughout the city. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced the closure of all schools and colleges for Thursday, urging residents to leave their homes only if absolutely necessary.

"The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy rain until 8:30 am tomorrow, September 26, 2024. Considering the safety of students, all schools and colleges in Mumbai will remain closed on Thursday, September 26, 2024," BMC stated in a tweet.

Commuters at Ghatkopar railway station faced significant delays due to large crowds attempting to board trains in the stormy conditions. Between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm, several parts of the city received over 100 mm of rainfall, with the hardest-hit areas including Veena Nagar in Mulund (104 mm), Bhandup (120 mm), Powai (145 mm), Chembur (162 mm), and Govandi (167 mm). Mankhurd recorded the highest rainfall at 190 mm, followed by Ghatkopar with 182 mm and Vikhroli with 188 mm.

Flights were also severely impacted by the weather. Operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were disrupted, with 14 flights being diverted. Several flights were rerouted to cities like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, MOPA, and Udaipur. Airlines, including Indigo and SpiceJet, issued advisories warning passengers of potential delays and cancellations.

Authorities continue to urge caution as the heavy rainfall persists, with residents advised to stay updated on the evolving situation.