Mumbai-Pune Expressway Among Major Highways Shut After Heavy Rain

Torrential monsoon rain has crippled large parts of Maharashtra, forcing authorities to shut several major highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, after landslides and heavy flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and several adjoining districts as the intense spell of rain is expected to continue through Tuesday.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the state emergency authorities have closed or blocked multiple routes, including:

Mumbai-Pune Expressway – Fully closed

Old Mumbai-Pune Highway – Fully closed

Mumbai-Goa Highway – Blocked at Chiplun-Khavati due to a major landslide

Mumbai-Goa Highway – Blocked at Sukeli Khind in Raigad

Pen-Khopoli Road – Submerged under floodwater

Mangaon-Pali Road – Closed

Mangaon-Pune (Tamhini Ghat) Road – Closed

Near the Parshuram Ghat on the Mumbai-Goa Highway, loose soil and massive boulders continue to slide onto the road, leaving motorists stranded in traffic jams lasting up to 10-12 hours.

Building collapse and rain-related incidents claim lives

Heavy rainfall has turned deadly across the state. In Mumbai's Mankhurd area, a three-storey chawl building collapsed, killing a woman and five children, while one person remains critically injured. Separate incidents of falling tree branches in Kurla and Goregaon claimed two more lives.

Four additional rain-related deaths were reported from Navi Mumbai and Panvel. In Satara district, a large boulder crashed through a car on the Phaltan-Pusegaon road, killing driver Yogesh Popat Jagtap after the vehicle lost control.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of those who died in the Mankhurd building collapse.

Rail services disrupted, Mumbai local trains delayed

The relentless rain has also disrupted rail connectivity. A major landslide in the Thakurwadi area along the Pune-Mumbai rail corridor and boulders on tracks between Karjat and Lonavala have led to cancellations and diversions of several long-distance trains.

Mumbai's suburban rail network is operating with delays as tracks remain waterlogged at several locations, including Vasai, Nalasopara and Vikhroli. Western Railway services are running 20-25 minutes late, Central Railway trains are delayed by 15-20 minutes, while Harbour Line services are around 10 minutes behind schedule.

Red alert in Mumbai, schools shut in several districts

The IMD has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, while Nashik remains under an orange alert. Schools have been closed in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and several other districts as a precaution.

Authorities have urged people to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors until weather conditions improve. Rescue teams and railway personnel continue restoration work in the affected areas.