Mumbai Rains: University Cancels Exams, Dabbawalas Suspend Services Amid Red Alert

July 6, 2026

Mumbai: Relentless monsoon rains continued to batter Mumbai and neighbouring districts on Monday, severely disrupting normal life. In view of the worsening weather, Mumbai University cancelled all examinations scheduled for July 6, while the city’s iconic Dabbawala service suspended operations for the day for the first time in its 125-year history due to safety concerns.

University Exams Cancelled, Schools Shut

Mumbai University postponed all LL.M., M.Sc. and M.Com. examinations scheduled for Monday.

In an official statement, the university said the decision was taken following the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) heavy rainfall warning, prioritising student safety. Revised examination dates will be announced on the university’s official website.

Meanwhile, the local administration declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai and Thane as heavy rainfall continued for the sixth consecutive day.

Dabbawalas Suspend Services, Transport Hit

The Mumbai Dabbawala Association also suspended its lunchbox delivery services for the day.

Association President Ulhas Muke said the decision was taken due to extremely heavy rainfall, waterlogging and flooding on railway tracks, particularly in the Virar-Vasai region.

He described it as the first time in the organisation’s 125-year history that services had been suspended purely as a precaution to ensure the safety of delivery personnel.

The IMD has issued a Red Alert for Mumbai, Thane and adjoining districts as torrential rainfall triggered flooding, landslides and widespread transport disruptions.

A landslide on the Mumbai-Pune Highway and damage to railway tracks between Karjat and Khopoli disrupted both road and rail traffic. Several Mumbai-Pune trains were cancelled or diverted, while suburban local trains on Central and Western Railway routes were delayed by 15 to 20 minutes because of waterlogging.

The State Transport (ST) Corporation also suspended Mumbai-Pune bus services until further notice.

Flood Situation Worsens in Raigad

Heavy rainfall has also caused severe flooding in Raigad district, with rivers including the Savitri, Kundalika, Amba and Patalganga flowing above danger levels.

Floodwaters inundated parts of Mahad, Roha, Nagothane, Pen and Khopoli, severely affecting road connectivity.

The Mumbai-Goa Highway has been partially reopened only for heavy vehicles, while several other roads, including the Pen-Khopoli Highway, Nagothane-Roha route, Tamhini Ghat road, and Kashedi Ghat, remain closed due to flooding, landslides and strong water currents.

In a rare incident, floodwaters entered the assembly hall of the historic Shree Ballaleshwar Ashtavinayak Temple in Pali.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as disaster response teams remain on high alert across affected districts.