Allow work from home or face action: Maha CM warns private companies, NDRF intensifies rescue Ops as flood wreaks havoc in Mumbai

Relentless rainfall continued to batter Maharashtra on Monday, disrupting normal life across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune and several other districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune and the Ghats of Nashik until Tuesday morning, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds and the possibility of waterlogging.

The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has advised private offices in Mumbai to allow employees to work from home wherever possible and directed non-essential government offices to function on a half-day schedule. Citizens have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired an emergency review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Mantralaya, directing all emergency services to remain on high alert and work round the clock. He appealed to citizens to step out only if absolutely necessary and urged private companies to permit employees to work from home on humanitarian grounds. The Chief Minister also warned that strict legal action would be taken against companies that fail to comply with the government's advisory.

The IMD has extended the Red Alert for the state until the night of July 8. Coastal districts, including Mumbai, are expected to witness strong winds of 50-70 kmph. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas, while district administrations have been instructed to remain on alert 24x7.

Boy swept away, landslide claims one life

A 10-year-old boy was swept away by the swollen Kamvari River in Bhiwandi while dumping household garbage, marking the second drowning in the river within 24 hours.

In Pune's Maval tehsil, one person died after a landslide buried a house, while NDRF teams continued searching for two others trapped under the debris.

Landslides disrupt road and rail traffic

Heavy rain triggered a landslide near the exit of Tunnel 2 on the Pune-Mumbai Connecting Link Road, forcing traffic diversions from 4 am. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), along with highway police, is monitoring the situation.

Train services between Mumbai and Pune have been suspended following landslides in the Bhor Ghat section. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is reviewing restoration efforts.

A major landslide also struck the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, bringing down large boulders and debris onto the highway. Emergency teams are working to clear the route, while authorities have prioritised easing traffic congestion.