Monsoon Fury Grips Maharashtra: 13 Dead, Mumbai Chawl Collapse and Expressway Landslide Disrupt Life

Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash Maharashtra, leaving at least 13 people dead in rain related incidents over the past few days and triggering widespread disruption across Mumbai and neighbouring districts. The situation worsened on Monday as the Maharashtra Legislative Council was adjourned for the day amid the escalating weather crisis and a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) .

Before the adjournment, Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan informed the House that Mumbai, Palghar, and Raigad have recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall , with multiple fatalities reported due to rain related incidents across the state.

The worst urban tragedy occurred in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area , where a three storey chawl collapsed on Sunday night following intense rainfall. The incident claimed six lives , while rescue teams including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued search operations for those feared trapped under debris. In addition, two deaths were reported in tree fall incidents in Mumbai over the past two days, while an 11 year old boy was killed earlier when a tree uprooted and fell on a school bus.

The rain also disrupted key transport infrastructure. Early Monday, a landslide near Tunnel 2 of the Missing Link stretch on the Mumbai Pune Expressway forced authorities to divert traffic on the Pune bound carriageway. The newly opened 13 kilometre alignment, which significantly reduces travel time between Mumbai and Pune, was temporarily shut as a precautionary measure, leading to severe congestion near Lonavala and surrounding ghat sections.

Officials from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC) said the diversion was implemented around 4 am , while coordination continued with the Highway Traffic Police to manage the situation and restore normal movement.

The combined impact of structural collapses, landslides, tree falls, and waterlogging has brought daily life to a standstill in several parts of the state. Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and strictly follow safety advisories as heavy rainfall continues under the active red alert warning .

With weather conditions still severe, officials warned that Maharashtra may face further disruptions in the coming days if the monsoon intensity does not ease.