Heavy rain has also disrupted normal life in Mumbai and nearby areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad, warning of more heavy to very heavy rainfall along with strong winds.
A fresh spell of heavy rain has caused widespread destruction across Maharashtra, with landslides, flooding and transport disruptions affecting several districts. On Monday morning, a major landslide hit a remote village in Pune district, burying around five houses under debris. Rescue teams fear at least three people may still be trapped, while emergency operations are continuing.
The district administration immediately sought help from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). A 30-member rescue team from the NDRF’s 5th Battalion was sent from Pune to carry out search and rescue operations. Officials said continuous rainfall triggered landslides at three different locations in the Maval region, with one of the incidents completely burying a house.
Why was the Mumbai-Pune Expressway closed?
The heavy rain and landslide have severely affected travel between Mumbai and Pune. Authorities have suspended traffic on both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway until further orders due to landslide risks, flooding and unsafe road conditions.
Police have advised people to avoid travelling between the two cities unless absolutely necessary. Commuters have been asked to postpone non-essential journeys and keep checking official traffic updates. The closure comes just two months after the new 13-km Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link was opened, reducing travel time by around 30 minutes.
What is the weather situation in Mumbai?
Heavy rain has also disrupted normal life in Mumbai and nearby areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad, warning of more heavy to very heavy rainfall along with strong winds.
Local train services have been affected due to waterlogging on railway tracks and minor landslides at some locations.
Heavy rain and poor visibility have continued to affect flight operations in Mumbai, leading major airlines to issue travel advisories for passengers. Airlines have urged travellers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport, warning that delays and disruptions are likely to continue due to the adverse weather conditions.
Amid heavy rainfall, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday advised all private offices to allow employees to work from home wherever possible.
