Ulhas River Nears Danger Mark Again; High Flood Risk In Badlapur And Kalyan

Last Updated:July 08, 2026, 16:17 IST

The heavy downpours have also severely disrupted regional infrastructure, flooding roads and stalling crucial railway networks connecting Mumbai to its extended suburbs in Thane.

Following several days of relentless monsoon rain, the water level of the Ulhas River in the Thane district of Maharashtra breached critical thresholds, triggering flood alarms. Key urban centers—including Badlapur city and rural belts of Kalyan—are facing an imminent risk of severe inundation as the region’s river systems swell rapidly.

The intermittent, heavy downpours have also severely disrupted regional infrastructure, flooding roads and stalling crucial railway networks connecting Mumbai to its extended suburbs.

Catchment Areas Inundated by Sahyadri Downpour

The current crisis stems from intense, localised rainfall across the key catchment areas of the Western Ghats. Over the past few days, heavy rains have wreaked havoc across the Sahyadri mountain ranges—specifically impacting Karjat, Matheran, Ahupe, Bhimashankar, Lonavala, and Khandala.

As torrential runoff from these high-altitude regions surges rapidly into the plains, the Ulhas River has experienced a volatile rise. Significant rainfall has simultaneously been recorded within Badlapur city limits and the rural pockets of Ambernath taluka, compounding the local drainage distress.

Ulhas River Nears Danger Mark

The river’s behaviour over the last 48 hours highlights the severity of the current weather pattern. After crossing the official danger mark of 17.50 meters on Monday, the water level had temporarily receded to a relatively safe 12 meters on Tuesday.

However, continuous overnight rain undid that brief respite. By 8:00 AM on Wednesday, water levels had climbed aggressively back up to 17 meters. Having already breached the warning level of 16.50 meters, the rapidly surging river is now just inches away from the 17.50-meter danger mark, sparking fresh anxiety among residents in low-lying urban areas and riverside settlements.

High-Risk Zones And Affected Populations

Local authorities have identified specific zones that are highly susceptible to immediate flooding if the heavy rains persist. The primary impact is expected to hit:

Badlapur City: Low-lying residential colonies and commercial pockets along the banks.

Kalyan Rural: The settlements around Jambhulpada and its immediate vicinities, where standard monsoon overflows frequently breach local housing.

Over 250 people were evacuated recently from Chawls in Badlapur. However, an official said it was a precautionary measure as the floodwater had yet to enter residential areas.

Administration on High Alert; Evacuation Readiness Activated

In response to the escalating threat, a coordinated emergency response has been deployed. The state revenue department, local police forces, and municipal emergency response teams have moved into full alert mode.

Public announcements and immediate warnings have been issued to all riverside villages and vulnerable low-lying areas. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the local administration has issued an advisory urging citizens to remain indoors, migrate to safer or elevated locations if necessary, and avoid non-essential travel. Emergency relief systems, including rescue boats and temporary shelters, have been positioned for rapid deployment.

Train Operations Affected By Track Waterlogging

The rising river has heavily impacted the region’s transit lifeline. Train services between Neral and Karjat stations in the neighbouring Raigad district were completely suspended on Wednesday morning after the overflowing Ulhas River inundated the railway tracks.

According to Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, no trains operated in either direction between 10:40 AM and 11:32 AM as the river consistently flowed above the danger level from 9:30 AM onward.

The Divisional Railway Manager of Central Railway’s Mumbai division confirmed via social media that services on both the Up and Down lines in the section were temporarily halted until structural safety could be verified. Adding to the commuter gridlock, suburban services on another section of the Central Railway network faced severe delays earlier in the day after the sheer force of the rainwater washed away the protective track ballast between Neral and Shelu stations. Engineering teams are currently on-site attempting to restore full operations.

About the Author

Saurabh VermaSenior Sub-editor

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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