As heavy rain lashed Mumbai on Monday, traffic came to a standstill in several areas. Nearly 2200 traffic police personnel were deployed to regulate movement, rescue stranded schoolchildren, clear stalled vehicles from flooded stretches, and assist citizens. The city’s traffic was monitored from the Worli Traffic Headquarters control room using Google Maps, more than 8000 CCTV cameras, wireless communication, and distress calls.

Traffic police reported severe congestion at 28 spots due to waterlogging and pothole-ridden stretches, including Vakola Bridge on the Western Express Highway and King Circle at Matunga. Joint CP (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, along with four DCPs, 20 ACPs, 45 inspectors, 150 officers, and about 2250 constables, was on the ground to keep vehicles moving.

A traffic jam between Khar and Santacruz on the Western Express Highway. Pic/Shadab Khan