Heavy monsoon activity disrupted normal life across several parts of India on Monday, with landslides, flooding and strong winds affecting rail and road connectivity. In Maharashtra, continuous rainfall triggered two landslides on the Bhor Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala, forcing the cancellation of 20 trains on the busy Mumbai–Pune rail corridor.

A separate landslide also blocked sections of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, while strong winds reaching nearly 75 kmph uprooted more than 140 trees in Mumbai. Authorities declared a holiday for government, private and municipal schools and colleges in the city as a precautionary measure.

Rail Services Affected

Railway officials said debris from the landslides affected all three railway lines on the Bhor Ghat stretch, disrupting train operations between Mumbai and Pune. Restoration teams were deployed to clear the tracks and restore services.

The Mumbai–Pune Expressway also witnessed traffic disruption after falling debris blocked portions of the roadway. Officials continued clearance operations while advising commuters to remain cautious during the ongoing spell of heavy rainfall.

Rain Claims Lives

Heavy rainfall also led to fatalities in different parts of the country.

In Madhya Pradesh, a woman died after being struck by lightning in Pandhurna district. Authorities also reported that two minor girls drowned in the swollen Betwa River in Raisen district as rivers and streams continued to flow above normal levels following persistent rain.

In Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, two children aged five and six lost their lives after drowning in a water-filled pit created by rainwater accumulation. Local authorities have appealed to residents to keep children away from flooded areas during the monsoon.

Flooding Across States

Several states reported flooding and waterlogging due to continuous rainfall.

In Gujarat's Una region, floodwaters disrupted road connectivity and temporarily cut off access to several villages. Haryana's Jhajjar district witnessed severe waterlogging on major roads, slowing traffic movement.

In Chhattisgarh, emergency teams rescued devotees who became stranded after the Balamdehi River overflowed following heavy rainfall.

In Pune, the boundary wall of a residential society collapsed onto a parking shed, damaging around 14 parked vehicles. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Weather Alerts Issued

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall over several parts of the country during the next two days.

For July 7, rain alerts have been issued for 22 districts of Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal is under a red alert in two districts and an orange alert in three others. Odisha has been placed under a red alert in five districts, while eight districts remain under an orange alert.

On July 8, heavy rainfall is expected across parts of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha, with Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Sikkim also likely to receive widespread rain. Orange alerts have additionally been issued for coastal areas of Goa, Telangana, Karnataka and parts of Sikkim.

Authorities On Alert

State administrations and disaster response agencies remain on alert as heavy rainfall continues to affect transport infrastructure and public movement. Rescue teams, municipal authorities and railway officials are monitoring vulnerable locations, while residents have been advised to avoid waterlogged areas, overflowing rivers and landslide-prone regions.

Authorities have also urged travellers to check transport advisories before undertaking journeys in rain-affected areas.

The active southwest monsoon is expected to continue influencing weather conditions across large parts of the country over the coming days. With forecasts indicating further spells of heavy monsoon rains, officials are closely monitoring the situation to minimise disruption and ensure public safety.