A sudden dust storm swept through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region this evening, engulfing some parts of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan and Murbad. The sudden cloud of dust, accompanied by strong winds, hit the region around 4.30 pm, sharply lowering visibility. 

 

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was enroute to Murbad when the pilot noticed an approaching storm system. He immediately informed Mr. Shinde and turned back, landing safely at Pawan Hans helipad in Juhu. Mr. Shinde was travelling from Mumbai to Murbad to attend a wedding ceremony.

 

Meanwhile, the weather department has said that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning,  gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in South Konkan-Goa, South Madhya  Maharashtra and  Marathwada. Light rainfall of less than 5 mm per hour and moderate rain ranging between 5 mm and 15 mm per hour is also expected in isolated areas of Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai and adjoining districts.