Mumbai on Thursday got a respite from the heavy rains that have been pounding the metropolis for the past five days, with life slowly returning to normal.

Rail traffic, which had to be suspended for the last two days on the Central and Harbour sections, became almost normal on Thursday with suburban trains running slightly behind schedule, but long-distance trains running as per schedule, railway sources said.

Road traffic was plying normally in the morning as water receded from several low-lying areas.

Schools and colleges also reopened after three days and admissions to various courses, including to the 11th standard, would resume on Thursday, authorities said.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau has predicted intermittent rainfall with gusty winds. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into a very rough sea.

Along the Maharashtra-Goa coast, danger warning indicating flag LC-3 has been hoisted, the Met office said.

Rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours till 8.30 am on Thursday was 107.1 mm at Colaba in south Mumbai and 120.7 mm at Santa Cruz in western suburbs, the met office said. 

Normal traffic was visible on the arterial roads and highways.

Both the national and international airports are open.

The forecast for the next 24 hours is intermittent showers with possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall.

With Ganesh Nadar's inputs