India: Following Intense Rains In Mumbai, 49 Flights Were Cancelled.

In Mumbai, the financial hub of India, heavy rains on Monday caused roads and train lines to flood, disrupting flights and closing schools and colleges. More than 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain battered the 12-million-person city in the six hours leading up to 7:00 a.m. (0130 GMT), ahead of morning rush hour, according to a statement from municipal authorities. The coastal city was expected to see a high tide of 4.40 metres (14 feet) and more intense showers.

Mumbai commuters had to wade through knee-deep water in many places, partially submerging cars, while traffic jammed the Eastern and Western Motorways in the city.

The rain on Monday also delayed flights. According to airport sources, runway operations in Mumbai had to be halted for over an hour starting at 2:22 a.m.

A website called Flightradar24, which tracks flight information, indicated that over 430 flights were delayed and 49 were canceled. Among the airlines that reported disruptions were IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India.

Some long-distance trains had to be canceled by railway authorities due to water on the tracks. Images from television showed commuters walking on tracks to get to their destination, and some suburban passenger trains stopped on overflowed lines.

Every year, flooding caused by rain occurs in Mumbai. Anil Bore, who works for the ANI news agency, which Reuters owns a minority stake in, said, “My BMW car is stuck in the floodwater.