Mumbai, June 16: Heavy rains accompanied by strong gusty winds have thrown normal life out of gear in Mumbai on Wednesday.
According to the Meteorology Department, Colaba has received about 78.6 mm of rainfall while Santacruz has received about 95mm of rainfall in last 24 hours, leading to flooding of arterial routes in the city.
According to reports, heavy rainfall has caused water-logging in several parts of Mumbai leading to traffic diversion at Parel, Dadar, Andheri, Hindmata, Khar and Milan Subway.
Although local trains are still running but the schedules have gone awry with a delay of 10 to 15 minutes being reported on major sections.
Air traffic has also been hit with several flights not being able to follow their schedule due to reduced visibility. As a precautionary measure, incoming flights are being preference over outbound flights till situation improves.
The drainage system in several low-lying areas of Mumbai has been choked forcing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take adequate steps to clear rainwater from several roads.
Giving more details about the relief and rescue operations being carried out in greater Mumbai, BMC Commissioner Swadhene Kshatriya said “The BMC has taken all important measures to clear water-logged at several parts of Mumbai. We have deployed about 200 pumps to clear rain water to prevent traffic hold-ups on any of the arterial routes.”
“About 13 pumps are operating in Malad, Dahisar, Poisar to clear rainwater from the roads”, the BMC top official claimed.
Kshatriya further informed that some 700 old dilapidated buildings in danger of collapsing due to heavy rains have been identified.
“We have carried out survey before rains and identified 700 dangerous building and notice has served for alternative accommodation,” he was quoted as saying.
A high-alert has been sounded in the low-lying areas of Mumbai and fishermen have been advised not to venture out in open sea as in view of warning of high tides measuring about 4.70 meters till June 17.
So far, 40 rain-related deaths have been reported across the state in the past one week.
At least eight people have died due to a wall collapse in Dyaneshwar Nagar locality in Thane early this morning. As per preliminary information, the wall is believed to have collapsed owing to heavy rains lashing Mumbai in the past two days.
Relief operations are underway by the police and fire brigade officials to rescue the people trapped in the debris.
—–Agencies