Heavy overnight showers lashed Navi Mumbai and Panvel from Sunday night into early Monday morning, leaving key stretches submerged and commuters stranded. The downpour, accompanied by thunder, caused severe waterlogging in Vashi Sector-9, APMC Market, Mafco Market, Turbhe, and large parts of the Sion-Panvel highway.
Panvel fared no better, with areas near the railway station waterlogged in knee-deep water, slowing traffic and forcing residents to wade through flooded lanes. Taking advantage of the chaos, autorickshaw drivers hiked fares, charging commuters Rs 20 to Rs 40 for shared rides that normally cost Rs 10.
“From Vashi station to APMC Market, they were demanding Rs 100 to Rs 150. This is pure loot. Already, we are struggling to walk through the water, and on top of that, they are exploiting the situation,” said Mira Shah, a commuter from Koparkhairane.
Vashi Circle in Navi Mumbai on Monday
Another commuter, Rajesh Patel, added, “There is no check on these auto drivers. Either you pay or you walk in knee-deep water.” The adjoining roads of APMC Fruit and Vegetable Market and Mafco Market turned into a virtual pool, making it difficult for tempos and trucks to move in or out.
“Every year, the same problem occurs. Water enters the APMC market premises and damages stock. The drainage here has not improved despite repeated complaints,” said Rishikesh Gupta, a trader at APMC.
Despite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for Thane and Raigad, schools in Navi Mumbai and Panvel remained open.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Kailash Shinde, however, maintained that his teams were on high alert. “Our disaster management control room was fully prepared. We had deployed additional pumps in low-lying areas and ensured that teams were on call throughout the night. The sudden intensity of rainfall caused temporary waterlogging, but it was cleared within a few hours,” he said.
Panvel Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale said their teams were out since early morning assisting stranded citizens. “We prioritised senior citizens and school-going children who were stuck on flooded roads near Panvel station. We have activated all ward offices to monitor the situation round the clock,” Chitale added.
Traffic on the Sion–Panvel highway crawled for hours as vehicles waded through submerged stretches. Office-goers reported delays of over an hour, while traders and daily commuters at APMC were left fuming over the mess. With the IMD predicting more heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours, residents fear more waterlogging nightmares ahead.
