Heavy rains lash Mumbai, bring respite

Mumbai, July 04: Heavy rains lashed the Mumbai and the neighbouring Thane district for the second day on Saturday, bringing respite from the sweltering heat and easing concerns of water scarcity.

In many parts of the suburbs people welcomed the rains by performing traditional ‘aartis’ and ‘poojas’ as the rains played truant over the last few weeks, as they feared of more water cuts due to delayed monsoon.

BMC has already effected 20 percent water cut in metropolis.

“Water logging was reported in low-lying parts like Parel, Lalbaug, Matunga, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Milan Subway and Goregaon”, a Muncipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) official said.

Traffic movement was restricted in many parts due to water-logging. Also trains on the Central Railway’s main and harbour lines were running late by over 30 minutes, an office-goer said.

Residents and shop-keepers from Parel in Central Mumbai complained that the ongoing construction work of bridges and Mono Rail projects also contributed to the water logging in the area.

Met officials have said there will be heavy rain falls across the city and neighbouring districts like Thane and Raigad for next 48 hours.

–Agencies