Before delving into details, here’s a quick overview: On the evening of May 20–21, Mumbai was lashed by sudden, intense pre-monsoon showers accompanied by thunder, lightning and gusty winds. Key low-lying areas saw severe waterlogging, notably the Andheri subway, which had to be closed after being submerged beneath ankle-to-waist-deep water. Meanwhile, a hoarding collapsed in neighbouring Pune, trapping several two-wheelers, underscoring the risk to people and property posed by such storms. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow and orange alerts for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region through May 23–24, forecasting continued thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) have activated emergency protocols—deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, setting up “green corridors,” desilting drains, and urging residents to stay indoors, avoid coastal and waterlogged areas, and monitor official advisories.

 

Current Weather Events in Mumbai

 

Subway Flooding Incident

 

Late on May 20, intense pre-monsoon showers hit Mumbai’s western suburbs, with localities such as Jogeshwari, Andheri, Malad, Kandivli, Borivli and Mira Road bearing the brunt of the downpour. The Andheri subway—a vital underpass linking western and eastern suburbs—was inundated under ankle-to-waist-deep water, forcing its immediate closure by civic authorities to prevent accidents. As a result, vehicular traffic slowed to a crawl, and commuters were stranded for hours in chest-high water.

 

Hoarding Collapse Incident

 

Simultaneously, a sudden storm front that barrelled through Pune triggered the collapse of a roadside hoarding in the Sanaswadi area, trapping at least seven two-wheelers beneath the metal structure; miraculously, no casualties were reported. Though this incident occurred about 150 km from Mumbai, authorities in the financial metropolis placed the city on high alert, anticipating similar gust-driven structural failures, and began pre-emptive inspections of mobile towers, scaffolding and advertising hoardings.

 

Forecast and Continuing Thunderstorms

 

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai will continue to experience thunderstorms, moderate to heavy rainfall, and gusty winds (up to 50–60 km/h) through Friday, May 23, before a slight respite arrives over the weekend. Between 8 am on May 20 and 8 am on May 21, suburbs logged upwards of 24 mm of rain in the central city, 26 mm in eastern zones and 40 mm in western sectors—figures expected to climb in the next 48 hours. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and an orange alert for isolated heavy to very heavy showers, cautioning of lightning, thunder and strong gusts until May 23.

 

Government Advisory and Warnings

 

IMD Forecast and Alerts

 

Yellow Alert (Mumbai Metropolitan Region): Thunderstorms with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h, “very likely” through May 23.

 

Orange Alert (Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy Rain): Intermittent heavy downpours in city pockets, gust speeds up to 60 km/h, continuing till May 24.

 

Residents are urged to keep umbrellas and rain gear handy, avoid standing under trees or damaged structures during thunderstorms, and not touch fallen power lines.

 

BMC and DDMA Measures

 

At a pre-monsoon DDMA meeting on May 21, BMC’s Disaster Management Department outlined multiple preparedness steps:

 

Deploy one NDRF unit each in the island city, eastern and western suburbs, with “green corridors” established by Traffic Police to expedite emergency vehicle movement.

 

Coordinate with the stormwater drains department to counter waterlogging by activating dewatering pumps and diesel generators, supplemented by vehicle-mounted mobile pumps kept on standby.

 

Prioritize tree-pruning and structural inspections of hoardings, mobile towers and scaffolding to mitigate collapse risks.

 

Ensure hospitals have auxiliary power backup, station fire department lifeguards near vulnerable coastlines, and complete protective walls in landslide-prone zones.

 

Additionally, the BMC has temporarily closed several low-lying subways, including Andheri, and advised residents to monitor official BMC and IMD social-media channels and emergency hotlines (100 and 1916) for real-time updates.

 

Police and Civic Warnings

 

Mumbai Police have issued advisories urging citizens to avoid coastal promenades and areas prone to sudden tidal surges and to defer nonessential travel until the weather abates. In case of emergencies, residents may contact the Mumbai Police control room at 100 or dial 1916 for urgent BMC assistance.

 

Impact on Daily Life and Infrastructure

 

• Transport Disruptions: Suburban railway services reported delays up to 15 minutes due to waterlogging near track sections; BEST buses were rerouted around flooded stretches.

 

• Road Closures: Key arterial roads, underpasses and tunnels in Andheri, Jogeshwari and Malad experienced intermittent closures, stranding motorists and two-wheeler users.

 

• Power Fluctuations: Isolated areas reported transformer tripping due to water ingress at substations; Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company activated backup generators.

 

• Flight Operations: Though Mumbai Airport was less affected, several inbound flights reported slight diversions and holding patterns in anticipation of wind shear.

 

Safety Tips for Residents

 

• Stay Indoors if Possible: Defer travel during active alerts; limit outdoor activity to essentials.

 

• Avoid Waterlogged Zones: Never attempt to wade through moving water deeper than ankle height—hidden debris and open drains pose severe risks.

 

• Secure Loose Objects: Clamp down or remove hoardings, scaffolding sheets, and unsecured rooftop items to prevent airborne projectiles.

 

• Monitor Official Channels: Follow BMC, IMD and Mumbai Police for verified advisories; ignore rumours.

 

• Emergency Preparedness: Keep mobile phones charged, maintain emergency kits (torch, batteries, first-aid), and note helpline numbers (100 for police, 1916 for BMC).

 

Conclusion

 

Mumbai’s vulnerability to even brief pre-monsoon bursts was laid bare on May 20–21, as unseasonal thunderstorms triggered widespread flooding and structural failures. With continued heavy showers forecast through May 23–24, coordinated efforts by the IMD, BMC, DDMA, NDRF, Mumbai Police and other agencies are critical to safeguarding lives and minimizing disruption. Residents must heed warnings, avoid unnecessary travel, and promptly report emergencies to help the city weather these tempestuous days safely.