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Heavy monsoon rains lash Mumbai leaving six dead, including five children

Dilapidated residential building collapsed in the megacity's east, trapping residents under the debris

By AFP
July 06, 2026
A man rows an inflatable raft inside a waterlogged building society in Mumbai, India, July 4, 2026. — Reuters
A man rows an inflatable raft inside a waterlogged building society in Mumbai, India, July 4, 2026. — Reuters

An old building collapsed during intense monsoon rain in Mumbai, killing six people, including five children, while residents were trapped under debris.

A dilapidated residential building collapsed Sunday in the megacity's east, trapping residents under the debris, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said in a statement.

The deaths came as heavy rainfall paralysed parts of the city, with the India Meteorological Department recording more than 200 millimetres (7.8 inches) of rain within 24 hours.

Hundreds of millions of people in India rely on the annual monsoon winds to bring vital rains that sustain agriculture and industry.

However, climate change is shifting weather patterns and making the world's most populous country hotter.

This year's El Nino weather phenomenon has prompted warnings of lower rainfall.

The weather office has issued a red alert warning for Mumbai on Monday, forecasting continued heavy rain and gusty winds.

With roads inundated, Mumbai authorities declared Monday a holiday for all schools and colleges.

Mayor Tawde called on people to stay indoors if possible, warning of falling trees and branches due to strong winds.

The downpours in Mumbai follow weeks of sweltering heat, with authorities imposing restrictions on water use last month and cutting supplies to swimming pools and construction sites.

The city of over 20 million people is grappling with concerns over pressure on water resources from expanding data–centre infrastructure, whose large cooling requirements could exacerbate supply strains.