Heavy Rain Disrupts Flights at CSMIA and Halts Train Services Across Mumbai
Heavy monsoon rain crippled the transport network across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on Monday, disrupting flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), halting suburban train services between Karjat and Khopoli, and forcing widespread bus diversions. The severe weather led to flight diversions, extensive train cancellations due to a landslide, and major road traffic delays.
At CSMIA, heavy rain, poor visibility, and gusty winds disrupted runway operations, forcing the diversion of five incoming flights. The diverted flights included IndiGo services from Raipur and Singapore, Akasa Air’s flight from Delhi, Oman Air’s flight from Muscat, and an Air India flight from Kolkata. Airlines including IndiGo and Akasa Air issued advisories urging passengers to verify their flight status before traveling to the airport. Operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport remained unaffected.
On the Central Railway, suburban services between Karjat and Khopoli were suspended at approximately 7:50 a.m. after heavy rainfall caused waterlogging, ballast washout, and a track cave-in. While restoration work began immediately, services on the Main and Harbour lines experienced delays of five to 10 minutes.
A landslide between Thakurvadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin in the Karjat-Lonavala ghat section severely impacted long-distance services. Central Railway cancelled more than 17 mail and express trains, diverted 31, and short-terminated 18. Notable cancellations included the CSMT–Pune Deccan Queen, Indrayani Express, Deccan Express, Sinhagad Express, and Pragati Express. The Solapur–CSMT Vande Bharat Express was short-terminated at Pune.
The Western Railway also faced disruptions, with suburban services on the Vasai-Virar section suspended due to waterlogging at Kelve Road, Saphale, and Nalasopara stations. Churchgate-bound local trains ran 20 to 25 minutes late. To assist stranded passengers, help desks providing food and drinking water were set up at Borivali and Virar stations. Additionally, a fallen tree branch near GTB Nagar station briefly disrupted down Harbour line services toward Panvel for 25 minutes.
Road transport was similarly affected by waterlogging and fallen trees. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking diverted more than 64 bus routes during morning peak hours, with diversions reported in Bhandup, Goregaon, Mulund, Vidyavihar, and Andheri. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) suspended Mumbai-Pune bus services for the day after multiple buses were stranded near the Urse toll plaza.
