Trains going to Ambernath, Dombivli and Badlapur were cancelled as water flowed from the Barvi Dam in the vicinity.

Thousands of commuters were stranded on trains for 5-6 hours without water or food.

Telephone services throughout the city were also disrupted due to the heavy showers. Many stranded passengers who tried reaching their relatives could not get through the mobile network.

The indomitable spirit of Mumbai was evident in the number of people who took to the roads.

There were good Samaritans from several cooperative societies, who gave biscuits and water to those walking back home.

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda