Mumbai has received very heavy rain this monsoon. (File)

All schools and junior colleges in Mumbai and neighbouring areas are closed today after the weather office forecast "extremely heavy rainfall" over the next 48 hours, the government said.

The weather office has issued a red alert--indicating "extremely heavy rainfall"--for Mumbai and neighbouring Raigad, news agency PTI reported quoting weather officials.

"In view of heavy rainfall forecasts, a holiday is declared for all schools & junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan region today. District collectors in other parts of Maharashtra to decide, based on local conditions," Maharashtra Minister of School Education Ashish Shelar tweeted.

Mumbai's suburbs received heavy rain on Wednesday night. Versova recorded 50 mm rain within three hours, KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD, Mumbai said.

Apart from Mumbai, Palghar and Thane are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain.

Mumbai has received heavy rain this monsoon, leading to delayed flights, traffic jams and flooding of homes.

The city's streets regularly flood during the monsoon, which runs from June until September or October, and which provides India with most of its annual rainfall.

Almost every monsoon, Mumbai struggles to cope with the chaos caused by the rain. The suburban trains - the city's lifeline - are affected and low-lying areas get flooded.



(With inputs from PTI)