All schools and colleges in Mumbai have been closed as heavy rains lashed the city in a span of three hours on Thursday morning.
“In view of heavy rainfall forecasts. As a precautionary measure, the holiday is declared for all schools and junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane, Konkan region for today 19 September 2019,” state Minister of School Education Ashish Shelar said on Twitter.
He further said that the District collectors in other parts of Maharashtra will decide on holiday based on local conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted cloudy sky with a possibility of moderate rainfall. Heavy rains are likely at isolated places in the city and suburbs.
Weather Forecast by I.M.D @ 08:00 – INTERMITTENT RAIN OR SHOWERS LIKELY IN CITY & SUBURBS WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTREMELY HEAVY FALLS AT ISOLATED PLACES.
#Monsoon2019 #MCGMUpdates #MumbaiRains #SafeMonsoon pic.twitter.com/eHOK73hetm— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) September 19, 2019
On Wednesday, the weather department had predicted “extremely heavy rainfall” for the next two days in Mumbai and isolated places over central Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, a red alert has been issued in isolated areas across Mumbai for Thursday.
“The weather bureau has issued a red rain alert, indicating “extremely heavy rainfall”, for Mumbai and Raigad districts,” said an IMD official.
In view of heavy rain predictions, the Mumbai Police has issued an advisory.
Dear Mumbaikars,
The IMD has predicted very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and adjoining areas for next 2 days. A red alert has been issued in isolated areas across Mumbai & MMR regions for today.
Kindly prepare your day. Ensure Safety!#Dial100 in case of an emergency.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) September 18, 2019
Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted high tide to hit at 14:23 pm, with a height of 3.83 meters and a low tide is expected around 20:28 pm, with a hight of 0.98 meters.
Earlier this month, normal life was hit as heavy rains lashed the city disrupting road, rail and air traffic.
Earlier in July, torrential rains had left at least 40 dead in Maharashtra with over 28 deaths being reported from Mumbai alone. The city had recorded the highest July rainfall in 10 years and the second-highest in 44 years.