Heavy showers have been forecast for Mumbai over the next 48 hours
Thousands were stranded across Mumbai as heavy rain, which has pounded the city since Thursday night, severely affecting train services and unleashing massive traffic jams. The Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city's civic agency, ordered all schools to be shut and issued an alert, advising residents to step out only if necessary.
Maharashtra government has announced that all schools and colleges will remain closed on Saturday in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane district.
Several flights in and out of Mumbai were also delayed owing to the incessant rain.
More showers have been forecast over the next 48 hours. The tide is expected to rise to 4.60 metres (nearly 15 feet) today.
With tracks completely waterlogged, the Central, Western and Harbour lines reported disruptions, delays and cancellations. Train services were also stopped between the busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and the Kurla suburb on the Central line. The Western Railways is running staggered services till Andheri.
Around 70-80 lakh people travel everyday by local trains, considered the lifeline of the city.
The city's BEST buses have also altered their routes in view of flooding and heavy water-logging reported at several areas including Hindmata, Dadar, Parel, Sion, Vikhroli, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Santa Cruz.
Residents took to Twitter to warn others.
Mumbai recorded around 500 mm in 24 hours clogging the city's outdated drainage system, capable of handling only a tenth of it.
The Met department has warned of heavy rainfall and strong winds in Mumbai and the coastal Konkan region over the next two days.