The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Red Alert' for Tuesday, 7 July across four Maharashtra districts — Nashik Ghat areas, Pune Ghat areas, Palghar, and Raigad — as relentless monsoon rains continue to batter the state. An 'Orange Alert' remains in force for Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri, Nashik, Satara Ghat areas, Akola, and Amravati, with heavy rainfall and gusty winds forecast through the day.

Schools and Colleges Shut Across the Region

District administrations acted swiftly on the IMD alerts, declaring holidays for all educational institutions as a precautionary measure. Schools and colleges will remain closed in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Bhiwandi, Nashik, and rural parts of Pune. The decision follows three consecutive days of continuous rainfall and mounting risk of waterlogging across low-lying areas.

Mumbai: Mithi River at Full Capacity, Train Services Disrupted

In Mumbai, a brief pause in the downpour has done little to ease concerns. The Mithi River is reportedly flowing at full capacity, raising flood-risk warnings for adjoining localities. Heavy cloud cover continues to hang over the city despite the temporary lull.

Suburban rail services across all three lines remain severely affected. On Western Railway, trains are running 15 to 20 minutes late; services between Vasai and Virar — badly disrupted on Monday — have been partially restored, though waterlogging on the tracks in that section has forced the cancellation of several trains. No updates are available on services between Dahanu and Virar. On Central Railway, trains are delayed by 15 to 20 minutes, while Harbour Line services are running 10 to 15 minutes behind schedule.

Palghar Severely Hit: Rivers Breach Banks, Roads Submerged

Palghar district bore the brunt of Monday's deluge, with cloudburst-like conditions reported across Vasai-Virar, Saphale, Kelve, Palghar town, Boisar, Manor, and Wada. The Tansa River at Khanivde crossed the danger mark, sending floodwaters into riverside villages and homes, causing extensive damage to essential commodities. The Vaitarna River near Manor witnessed severe flooding, submerging multiple roads and inundating nearby villages. Residential areas in Wada also reported flooding. Both rail and road transportation in the district were crippled.

On the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway, traffic came to a complete standstill near Dhekale after massive mudslides and hill runoff effectively turned the highway into a waterway. Daily life across Palghar district has been, according to reports, completely disrupted.

CM Fadnavis Warns of Cloudburst Risk in Nashik, Warns Employers

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, following a review meeting, warned of a potential cloudburst in Nashik on Tuesday. On the question of 'Work From Home' directives, Fadnavis said, 'On humanitarian grounds, when a weather alert is issued, it is expected that everyone responds to it responsibly.' He confirmed that holidays have been declared for all non-essential services and issued a strict warning that action would be taken against offices and establishments found compelling employees to attend work in defiance of official safety advisories.

With the IMD showing no signs of withdrawing its high-level alerts and rivers across the Konkan and Ghat regions under stress, authorities are urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors.