Mumbai: Heavy rains bring India financial capital to a standstill

A vegetable seller sits at his stall, amid a flood left by the heavy rains in Mumbai. — Image caption,
Heavy rainfall in the western city of Mumbai has disrupted life in India's financial capital. Local trains - the city's lifeline - have been halted, cars are stuck on roads and airport operations were suspended.

People trying to navigate the streets flooded with rain, umbrellas at hand.

Officials believe this downpour could be the heaviest rainfall since 2005. City residents have been asked not to leave their homes, and those who braved the journey to work were stranded.

People are reaching out to help on social media - they are using the hashtag #RainHosts to offer shelter to those stranded.

Two children with umbrellas on a flooded street

Across the city, the transport infrastructure has been affected, with railway stations and trains flooded, as well as reported traffic jams on all major roads.

Indian media reports say three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on alert and are monitoring the situation.