Monsoon rains disrupt life in Mumbai, BMC puts staff on high alert
Intense showers are expected in Mumbai in the upcoming days (Photo: Twitter/JournoVidya)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Local trains ran late today by 20 minutes
- Waterlogging occurred in areas like Powai, Hindmata
- BMC claims it is prepared for the heavy downpour
Normal life in Mumbai has begun to see minor disruptions as the southwest monsoon hit the Maximum City today, bringing in its wake heavy rains.
The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of rain and thunder across Mumbai over the next 24 hours and has advised residents to stay indoors.
Following the IMD's alert, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation cancelled the Saturday and Sunday holidays of its officers, putting them on standby to deal with any possible disruptions over the weekend.
Local trains in Mumbai were affected today. Trains running on Mumbai's suburban railway Central line were delayed by at least 20 minutes.
A Jet Airways London to Mumbai flight was also been diverted today due to heavy rain in Mumbai. Flight 9W-117 was diverted to Ahmedabad airport and will land there at around 1pm.
It said that heavy to very heavy rains are likely in Maharashtra, Konkan region and coastal Karnataka.
Private weather forecast agency Skymet Weather said on Wednesday that the intensity of the rain is likely to increase today.
Skymet predicted heavy to very heavy rains in Mumbai, its adjoining districts and coastal Konkan till June 10.
It added that visibility has reduced in Mumbai to 500 meters with dense low clouds over the city. Wind speed in the coastal city is likely to exceed 50 kmph, private weather forecast agency Skymet said.
Water is reportedly logged in Powai and Hindmata while Lower Parel also witnessed downpour today.
Heavy rain lashes Mumbai leaving streets water-logged in several parts of the city. Visuals from Hindmata area. Photo: ANI
Our correspondent Mustafa Shaikh today posted a video from Mumbai's Powai.
Due to very heavy rainfall forecast in Mumbai and advance of the southwest monsoon causing tidal waves, there is a likelihood of a few areas of the metropolis being inundated.
Visuals from Hindmata in Mumbai, which is a low-lying area that gets flooded each year
However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed that they are prepared for the heavy downpour. The civic body has given strict instructions to all ward officers regarding opening manholes during heavy rain.
Last year, Mumbai-based Dr Amrapurkar died after slipping into a manhole who could not be located due to heavy downpour and water logging.
BMC has also asked all its ward officers to use sign boards and nets at the manholes so that people can locate it easily.
Monsoon hits Mumbai. Photo: JournoVidya/Twitter
The monsoon, which made an onset in Kerala on May 29, three days before its scheduled arrival, has advanced in parts of Tamil Nadu, southwest, west-central, east-central, northeast of Bay of Bengal and most of the northeastern states.
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