Mumbai woke up to chaos on Tuesday morning as relentless overnight rain submerged large parts of the city, crippling traffic and forcing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to declare a holiday for all government, semi-government, and private offices, except for essential services. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert not just for Mumbai but also for Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Kolhapur, and Pune, warning of “extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall” in the next 24 hours.

Waterlogging was reported across the western suburbs, with visuals from Bandra-Khar Link Road showing vehicles struggling to push through waist-deep water. The Malad and Poisar subways were completely shut for vehicular traffic after they turned into pools overnight. At Dadar TT, nearly two feet of water left vehicles crawling and commuters stranded.

The impact was widespread — areas including Gol Deul, Gulalwadi, Wadala, Shivdi, Nawab Tank, Nagpada, Maratha Mandir, Byculla, Bawla Compound, Bhoiwada, Wadala Station Four Roads, Hindmata Junction, Matunga, and Mahatma Gandhi Market reported severe flooding. Traffic Police also flagged water accumulation in Trombay, Maharashtra Nagar Subway, Antop Hill, MG Road Chowk, Kanekar Nagar, Sardar Nagar, and Pratiksha Nagar. In many stretches, vehicular movement was reduced to a snail’s pace.

Mumbai Police Commissioner issued an urgent advisory on X, warning citizens against unnecessary travel. “Please take care, step out only if necessary, prevent going near the shore during high tide and don’t forget, you will find us around the corner for help, in case of any emergency,” he wrote, further urging private companies to allow employees to work from home.