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Mumbai rains: Red alert issued, road, rail traffic hit; BMC asks people to stay indoors

The IMD said that the monthly average rainfall for the month of September for Mumbai has already been crossed in four days.

SNS | New Delhi | September 4, 2019 6:06 pm

Mumbai rains: Red alert issued, road, rail traffic hit; BMC asks people to stay indoors

Waterlogging at Nallasopara railway station. (Photo: Twitter | @WesternRly)

A red alert has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Mumbai as heavy rains continue to lash the city since Tuesday night.

Out of the 150 weather stations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), around 100 recorded over 200 mm rainfall in last 24 hours, the weather department said.

Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, IMD Mumbai, KS Hosalikar said that more than 100 mm rainfall in three hours is extremely heavy rainfall.

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Hosalikar further said that the monthly average rainfall for the month of September for Mumbai has already been crossed in four days.

A red alert has also been issued for the surrounding areas of Thane and Palghar.

Meanwhile, schools in the city remained closed for the day after forecast of heavy rainfall. The BMC had requested principals of schools where students were already in, to take precautions and ensure that they are sent back home carefully and safely.

Hours of incessant rainfall in the city and adjoining districts led to water-logging in several parts of the city on Wednesday morning.

The official Twitter handle of Mumbai Police posted a list of areas which are water-logged due to rainfall.

“Dear Mumbaikars, Traffic moving slow due to heavy showers & water logging at following places. Please be advised about waterlogging at the following locations: Amrut Nagar Jn., Gandhi Nagar, Ghatkopar, Sakinaka Junction, Sonapur Junction, Mulund.” it has tweeted, adding some more areas.

Road and rail traffic was severely hit due to waterlogging and flooding of railway tracks.

Suburban trains ran at restricted speed whereas train operations were stopped temporarily between Vasai and Virar as the water level had gone above 300 mm at Nallasopara. Services were also stopped due to continuous heavy rains and waterlogging between Kurla and Chunabhatti.

The Central Railway informed that services had been stopped between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane on the mainline.

Meanwhile, residents around Mithi River were evacuated temporarily to a safer BMC shelter. A team of National Disaster Response Force was dispatched for Bail Bazar road in Kurla due to an increase in the water level in Mithi River.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has advised locals to avoid “venturing near the sea or walking in water-logged areas”.

It also urged the residents of Mumbai to stay indoors in safe premises till the water in low-lying areas recedes.

“Considering IMD’s heavy rainfall warning, we request Mumbaikars to stay indoors in safe premises till the water in low lying areas recedes. Please call us on 1916 or tweet to us for updates,” the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation tweeted.

Flight operations at Mumbai Airport were near normal despite the downpour and fluctuating visibility levels.

However, private carriers issued travel advisory in view of the torrential rains. Passengers were requested to keep a check on their flight status.

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.

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