‘17 Missed Calls From Boss, 21 From Mom’: Mumbai Man’s Toughest Choice During Floods Will Leave You Divided
‘17 Missed Calls From Boss, 21 From Mom’: Mumbai Man’s Toughest Choice During Floods Will Leave You Divided
Heavy rainfall in Mumbai has once again brought the city to a standstill, disrupting the lives of millions. India’s financial capital saw roads submerged, flights and trains cancelled, and several areas left in waist-deep water. Videos on social media showed residents wading and even swimming through waterlogged streets as garbage flowed out of clogged drains.
Authorities said on Tuesday, August 19, that they rescued around 600 passengers who were stranded on a monorail that stopped mid-journey. At least 23 people were treated for suffocation after the incident. Rescue teams were also deployed across several parts of the city to help people stuck in flooded areas.
Such Dedication of this Mumbai Guy Going to Office in Flooding & Heavy Mumbai Rains 🫡❤️ #Mumbai #MumbaiRains #MumbaiRain pic.twitter.com/MjXLeRqy8C
— Rosy (@rose_k01) August 19, 2025
Monsoon rains are common in Maharashtra during this season, but the intensity of this downpour has created major disruptions. Despite a red alert warning, several Mumbaikars continued heading to their offices, reflecting what many call the “spirit of Mumbai.”
One such example has now gone viral on social media. A video shows a young man wading through a waterlogged street on his way to the office. The clip begins with him helping a woman cross the flooded road. He advises her, in Marathi, to “walk on the white lines on the road” for better grip while crossing the water.
The man then explains to viewers why he is out in such severe conditions. He shows his phone, saying his boss has called him 17 times and his mother has called him 21 times. According to him, his boss threatened that he might lose his job if he skipped work, while his mother begged him to return home safely.
The man then says, “If I don’t go to the office, how will I run my home? That’s why I’m going to work in such conditions. And there are many people like me. It’s not like I’m the only one. This is life in Mumbai; no one stops here.”
The video was shared on X with the caption: “Such dedication of this Mumbai guy going to the office in flooding & heavy Mumbai rains #Mumbai #MumbaiRains #MumbaiRain”
Reactions were mixed, with many users criticizing the corporate pressure that forces employees to risk their safety. One user commented, “Maa ka sun bhai, tere boss jaise logon ko middle finger salute.”
Another wrote, “I get the real context here, but corporate culture is getting to be a far worse place to work these days.”
A third user pointed out the financial struggles behind such choices: “The harsh reality is that people have taken loans that they have to repay every month. This burden also horrifies them with job security. In short, they have become corporate slaves.”
While the video highlights the resilience of Mumbai’s people, it also raises concerns about work culture and safety during natural disasters.
