Monsoon Fury Batters India: Delhi, Mumbai Reel Under Flooding as Pune Building Collapse Triggers Major Rescue Operation

Rescue personnel conduct a search operation after a massive garbage mound collapsed onto a three-storey building in Pune’s Moshi area following relentless monsoon rains-Photo Credit-channel24india.com

Raipur : Relentless monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc across large parts of India on Wednesday, inundating roads, disrupting rail and air services, and triggering landslides and structural collapses. The worst-hit areas included Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat and Kerala, where emergency agencies remained on high alert as rescue and relief operations intensified.

Commuters navigate waterlogged streets in Delhi as heavy monsoon showers trigger widespread traffic disruptions and flooding-Photo Credit-channel24india.com

The most serious incident was reported from Moshi in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad, where a massive mound of legacy waste, weakened by continuous rainfall, collapsed onto a three-storey administrative building at a waste processing facility. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Brigade and local authorities rushed to the site, using heavy machinery and specialised equipment to search for those trapped beneath the debris. Authorities said several people were rescued, while others were still feared trapped as rescue operations continued late into the night.

Delhi Struggles with Waterlogging

In the national capital, hours of heavy rain left several roads submerged, causing severe traffic congestion and disrupting normal life. Waterlogging was reported from multiple areas as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued Red and Orange alerts, warning of continued thunderstorms and intense rainfall. Commuters faced long delays while civic agencies worked to clear flooded stretches.

Mumbai’s Lifeline Under Pressure

Mumbai continued to battle one of its toughest monsoon spells this season. Flooded tracks affected Central Railway suburban services, while road traffic slowed across several parts of the city. Although services on some Western Railway routes showed marginal improvement, heavy rainfall continued to strain transport infrastructure. Flight schedules were also affected, with cascading delays reported at airports connected to Mumbai and Delhi.

Flooded railway tracks and inundated roads disrupt daily life in Mumbai as the city continues to grapple with intense monsoon rainfall-Photo Credit-channel24india.com

The heavy rains have also impacted connectivity between Mumbai and Pune. Earlier this week, landslides damaged sections of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway’s Missing Link and disrupted road and rail traffic, with authorities advising travellers to monitor official updates before undertaking journeys.

Monsoon Impact Across States

The widespread rainfall has affected several other states:

• Gujarat: Surat witnessed extensive flooding, with authorities shifting thousands of residents from low-lying areas to safer locations and distributing food packets in affected neighbourhoods.
• Kerala: Rescue operations continued in landslide-hit areas of Wayanad amid persistent rainfall.
• Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Kerala: Several districts declared school holidays due to heavy rainfall and safety concerns.

IMD Issues Fresh Rain Alert

The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of western India, including Pune and adjoining districts, with authorities urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, remain alert near landslide-prone areas, and follow official advisories. Forecasts suggest that rainfall intensity may begin easing in some regions after July 10.