August 19, 2025: Intense rainfall on Monday caused widespread waterlogging across Mumbai, leading to prolonged power outages in several areas. Parts of Matunga and Sion remained without electricity for hours, leaving residents frustrated as repair work continued late into the night.
Local resident S.R. Radha from Matunga said, “There has been no electricity supply in the area for the last seven hours. We have no idea when the power will resume.” Officials indicated that supply was likely to be restored by the early hours of Tuesday or during the day.
The disruption was particularly severe in areas served by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. BEST spokesperson Dattatray Dagade explained that the outages were directly linked to flooding. “The power supply was affected in locations where there was severe waterlogging. Due to flooding at King’s Circle, parts of Matunga faced a power cut on Monday morning, which was restored within a couple of hours. However, supply was disrupted again in the evening, and repair work is currently underway,” he said.
The outages extended beyond residential areas. Motorists reported that street lights were not functioning in several parts of the city following the heavy downpour. On Monday evening, commuters along stretches of the Eastern Freeway and at Nariman Point complained of poorly lit roads due to defunct lights, raising concerns over road safety.
With more rain forecast through the week, civic authorities are monitoring flood-prone zones closely. BEST officials have assured residents that efforts are being made to restore electricity swiftly and strengthen contingency measures to reduce outages caused by waterlogging. For many, however, Monday’s blackout served as a reminder of the city’s vulnerability to flooding and its impact on essential services during the monsoon season.
Source: The Free Press Journal
