Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that Mumbai recorded 177 millimetres of rainfall in just 6 to 8 hours today, causing waterlogging at 14 locations. Talking to reporters, after reviewing the rain and flood situation across Maharashtra, he urged citizens to remain cautious and said that offices have been told to allow workers to leave at 4 PM. He added that tides up to four metres are expected after 6.30 PM. The Chief Minister also informed that crops spread over four lakh hectares across the state have been affected and district collectors have been authorized to take decisions regarding relief and rescue operations. He said talks are on with Karnataka regarding the discharge of Almatti dam water.
Mumbai’s Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar reviewed the situation through the BMC disaster management cell. He said suburban train services were running with some disruptions while BEST had been directed to provide additional buses. Metro rail services remained unaffected despite such heavy rains. He also informed that trees had fallen in around 30 to 40 places, and one person was injured at Napean Sea Road when a protection wall collapsed on a tree.
Several rain-related incidents were reported in the city. A Don Bosco school bus with six children and three adults was stranded in waterlogging at Sion’s Gandhi Market but was swiftly rescued by Matunga police. In Chembur, a protection wall collapsed on seven shanties, though no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as well as Raigad and Palghar, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the coming days. The BMC has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in the second session today.
The BMC Commissioner and the Mumbai Police Commissioner have appealed to citizens to step out only if necessary and to contact helplines 1916 and 100 in case of emergencies. Pumping stations are functioning across the city to ease waterlogging.
