Wed Sep 25 15:54:20 UTC 2024: ## Mumbai Braces for Heavy Rains as Flights Diverted, Traffic Slows

Mumbai is facing heavy rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the city and surrounding areas. The downpour has led to traffic disruptions and flight diversions.

Traffic movement has slowed on several key routes due to vehicle breakdowns. The Mumbai Traffic Police reported slow traffic on the Wadala Freeway Northbound due to a car breakdown, Sion Bridge Northbound due to a taxi breakdown, and at the Dharavi T Junction due to a truck breakdown.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall caused waterlogging in several parts of Navi Mumbai, with videos from Belapur showcasing the flooded streets.

The inclement weather has also impacted air travel. Vistara Airways confirmed that two of their flights, UK534 from Hyderabad to Mumbai and UK941 from Delhi to Mumbai, were diverted to Hyderabad due to the bad weather at Mumbai Airport.

Despite the heavy rainfall, local trains on the Western Railway’s Mumbai Suburban network are operating normally.

The IMD has predicted “extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds” for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Ratnagiri districts until 8:30 am on Thursday. The civic authorities have upgraded their orange alert for Mumbai to a red alert in anticipation of the severe weather conditions.

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