By | Arvind Jadhav| Rain Update
Mumbai : Heavy showers across Maharashtra on August 19, 2025, caused widespread disruption, tragic incidents, and a dramatic monorail breakdown in Mumbai. In Marathwada’s Nanded district, Mukhed taluka was hit by a sudden cloudburst that led to flash floods. The incident claimed four lives while five more people remain missing. Search and rescue efforts were intensified with the support of the Army and the National Disaster Response Force, who joined local teams in evacuating residents and conducting relief work.
Pune city bore the brunt of nearly twelve hours of uninterrupted rain, which left major roads waterlogged and traffic crawling at a snail’s pace. Commuters were stranded across key stretches including Nagar Road, Sinhgad Road, Hadapsar, Laxmi Road, and Wagholi. The Shivajinagar observatory recorded 41.4 millimetres of rainfall in just nine hours, the second-highest daily total since the onset of this year’s monsoon. Surrounding areas such as Lavale, Talegaon, and Chinchwad also received heavy showers. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Pune’s ghat sections, warning of landslide risks, reduced visibility, and further flooding.
In the hill town of Lonavla, rainfall touched 189 millimetres within a single day. Authorities declared a two-day closure of schools, from August 20 to 21, as a precautionary measure. Popular tourist routes were also affected, with the road to Lion’s Point shut after flooding caused by the overflowing Bhushi Dam.
The most alarming development of the day occurred in Mumbai, where two monorail trains stalled between stations during the downpour. One train, stuck between Chembur and Bhakti Park, was carrying more than 400 passengers, while another between Wadala and Acharya Atre had close to 200 passengers on board. In total, 782 commuters were trapped for over two hours inside overheated coaches without electricity or air conditioning. Rescue operations stretched late into the evening, with teams using cranes, ladders, and mechanical lifts to bring people down safely. Some passengers experienced suffocation and required medical attention, though most were treated on-site and discharged.
Preliminary reports suggest that a mix of overcrowding and power supply failure triggered the emergency stop. Officials explained that the excessive load may have disrupted the train’s electrical connection, activating its braking system. The state government has launched an inquiry into the incident, while the Chief Minister reassured citizens that passenger safety will remain the top priority.
