Mumbai’s Darkest MumbaiMemory: Remembering the 26 July 2005 Deluge After 20 Years
Mumbai’s Darkest Monsoon Memory: Remembering the 26 July 2005 Deluge After 20 Years
As Mumbai marks two decades since one of its most devastating natural disasters, the memory of the catastrophic rains of 26 July 2005 remains etched deeply in the city’s collective consciousness. That fateful day saw Mumbai drenched under an unprecedented 944 mm of rainfall within just 24 hours—a record that stands even today. The downpour unleashed widespread flooding that crippled the city and left a lasting scar on millions of lives.
Neighborhoods such as Kurla, Santacruz, Andheri, Sion, Matunga, Ghatkopar, and Dharavi were submerged in water reaching neck height. The city’s entire transportation network was thrown into chaos—rail services ground to a halt, bus operations were suspended, and road traffic came to a standstill, with vehicles stranded for hours in the floods.
The human cost was tragic: more than 1,000 people lost their lives that day. The floods also wreaked havoc on the city’s transport infrastructure, with approximately 37,000 auto-rickshaws, 4,000 taxis, and 900 BEST buses rendered unusable due to water damage. Beyond transportation, thousands of homes were destroyed, and the economic losses ran into crores of rupees, bringing Mumbai’s bustling life to an abrupt and fearful pause.
Personal Stories: Mumbai’s Residents Recall the Horror After 20 Years
Even now, two decades later, the trauma and memories remain fresh for many who lived through the disaster. Residents from different parts of the city have shared their emotional recollections of that harrowing time:
Manjiri Ghanekar, now 32, was only 10 years old when the floods hit her Borivali neighborhood. She vividly remembers the rising waters entering her home and how important documents of her neighbors were swept away by the currents. “Whenever I think back to that day, chills run down my spine,” she admits.
Ajay Raghav, who was just a child of 10-12 years and visiting Mumbai from Konkan for the first time, describes the experience as terrifying. “I had seen rain back home, but nothing like the intensity and destruction I witnessed on 26 July in Mumbai,” he recalls.
Then there is Prakash Mane, a college student living in Dharavi during the floods. He shares, “The day college was canceled, water was everywhere—up to neck level. In Dharavi, the water stayed for nearly 20 days. Transport, trains, markets—all had stopped functioning.”
The Monsoon Strikes Again: Orange Alerts and Heavy Rain in 2025
Fast forward to 2025, and the memories of July 2005 resonate all the more as heavy monsoon rains have once again brought disruption to Mumbai and the coastal Konkan region. Authorities have issued an Orange Alert for the past several days, warning residents of continued heavy rainfall. The city experienced persistent downpours from early morning, leading to waterlogging in various parts.
Meteorologists have also forecast significant rainfall on 26 July 2025, the exact date of the devastating floods 20 years ago—prompting many to brace for a difficult monsoon season ahead.
