The financial capital of India, Mumbai currently faces its worst deluge similar to the one in 2005, as heavy rains leave parts of the city worse for wear. Flights were delayed from the country's second-busiest airport, and severe water-logging led to congestion on roads. The MET department predicted heavy downpour for the next 48 hours. The worst-affected stretches were Eastern Freeway south-bound, B Ambedkar Road, and Western Express Highway at Kherwadi.
The torrential rains that lashed on Tuesday, brought normal life to a halt as a concentrated cluster of clouds moved westwards from southern Madhya Pradesh. “Mumbai has already received 30 cm rainfall and there are 12 more hours still to go. The rainfall activity will continue on Wednesday, with a tendency of lowering from afternoon,” said KS Hosalikar, deputy director-general of meteorology at the India Meteorological Department, Mumbai. “Receiving more than 30 cm rainfall in 24 hours is not a regular phenomenon for Mumbai,” he added.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the situation was well under control, advising citizens to step out of their homes only if necessary. “Step out of homes only if it is too important because water-logging has been reported from several parts of the city," Sudhir Naik, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, said. He added things were well under control and senior civic officials were keeping a close watch on the situation. According to an official from the BMC's Disaster Management Cell, “There have been reports of water-logging in Dadar, Andheri, Worli, Kurla and Sakinaka, among other areas. We have received 20 cases of tree falling and one of a wall collapse. Despite heavy downpour, no untoward incident has been reported so far.”
In a precautionary step taken by the State Government, the Education Minister instructed colleges and schools to remain shut. Train services were paralysed on all three suburban railway lines- Central, Western, and Harbour. Commuters could be seen standing under knee-deep water on the steps of buses in low-lying areas like Parel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the situation arising due to incessant rains, promising all possible support from the Centre.
Modi tweeted, “Spoke to Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis on the situation arising due to incessant rain in Mumbai & surrounding areas.” He added, “Centre assures all possible support to the government of Maharashtra in mitigating the situation due to heavy rains in parts of the state.”
