Flights face delays as heavy rains disrupt Mumbai traffic flow

Heavy overnight rains drenched Mumbai and its suburbs on Friday, bringing relief from the humid conditions but triggering widespread traffic snarls, waterlogging, and travel delays. The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) and the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across the city and nearby districts, warning of a wet weekend ahead.
According to information, at around 12:40 pm, a high tide of 4.66 metres is expected to hit the city’s coastline, prompting officials to urge citizens to stay away from seafront areas. Over the past 48 hours, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)—comprising Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad—has witnessed continuous rainfall.
“Generally cloudy skies with a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai city and suburbs,” the BMC said in an advisory. The Mumbai Police also cautioned residents: “Stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, avoid coastal areas, and drive cautiously.”
Flight Operations Affected
Airlines have warned passengers of potential delays at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) due to adverse weather conditions.
•SpiceJet posted on X: “Due to bad weather in Mumbai (BOM), all departures/arrivals and consequential flights may get affected. Please check your flight status.”
•IndiGo echoed similar concerns: “With heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected over Mumbai, we’re seeing a chance of delays. Please plan extra travel time to reach the airport.”
According to information,waterlogging at multiple low-lying areas added to commuter woes, with the Andheri Subway submerged under 1–1.5 feet of water, forcing its closure. Traffic has been diverted via Gokhale and Thackeray bridges, according to the Mumbai Traffic Police.
The IMD has also alerted of heavy to very heavy rainfall over Konkan-Goa and isolated areas of Madhya Maharashtra’s ghats, signaling a challenging weekend for travelers and residents.Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, keep a check on official updates, and plan for delays.