Mumbai Faces Torrential Rain: City Records 300 mm Rainfall Overnight, BMC Declares Holiday
Mumbai, renowned for its resilience, faced one of its heaviest downpours in recent memory. Overnight, the city recorded a staggering 300 mm of rainfall, leading to significant waterlogging and disruption across various sectors. This latest news on Mumbai’s weather highlights the challenges the city faced as it battled relentless rain.
Waterlogging and Disrupted Services
The heavy rainfall, which began early Monday, inundated many parts of Mumbai, causing severe waterlogging. This daily news update reveals that local train services, a lifeline for millions, were severely affected. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) had to reroute several buses to navigate through the waterlogged streets, further complicating the commute for residents.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that multiple locations across the city experienced over 300 mm of rainfall between 1 am and 7 am. This breaking news underscores the intensity of the situation. The BMC stated, "Heavy rains in some low-lying areas led to waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services."
BMC Declares Holiday for Schools and Colleges
In response to the adverse weather conditions and to prevent inconvenience for students, the BMC declared a holiday for all BMC, government, and private schools and colleges in Mumbai for the first session. The decision regarding the subsequent sessions would be made after further assessment of the weather conditions. This proactive measure is part of the city's broader strategy to ensure the safety and well-being of its younger population amidst the current events.
IMD Weather Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that Mumbai will continue to experience moderate to heavy rainfall throughout Monday, with thunderstorms possible during the night. This weather forecast extends to Maharashtra, predicting continued heavy rainfall over the next three to four days, particularly in Madhya Maharashtra and the Marathwada region from July 8 to July 10.
Impact on Train Services
The relentless rain had a significant impact on Mumbai's suburban train services. Waterlogging at various stations and tracks, particularly on the Central Railway, caused disruptions. The Central Railway Public Relations Officer (CRPO) stated, "Train services are affected at Sion and between Bhandup and Nahur stations. Rainwater was above the tracks, so trains were stopped for nearly one hour. Now water has receded a bit, so trains are restarting but services are still affected."
In response to the waterlogging, the Western Railway deployed high-capacity water pumps to remove water from the tracks, allowing the suburban section to resume normal operations. They assured commuters through a social media post, "Despite heavy downpour, #MumbaiLocals in WR's suburban section are running normally to ensure a safe commute for Mumbaikars. High capacity water pumps are being utilised to drain water and railway staff across the section are closely monitoring the situation to keep Mumbai's lifeline running smoothly."
Flight Operations Disrupted
The heavy rainfall also impacted flight operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Several airlines, including IndiGo and Vistara, issued advisories to passengers. IndiGo, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated, "Flights to/from #Mumbai are impacted due to heavy rains. To opt for an alternate flight or claim a full refund, visit our website or feel free to reach out to our on-ground team for any immediate assistance."
Similarly, Vistara cautioned passengers about potential delays and advised them to allocate extra travel time to the airport due to the heavy traffic congestion caused by the weather conditions.
Ongoing Challenges and Precautions
As the city grapples with these challenges, the BMC and other civic bodies are working tirelessly to manage the situation. Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest news and weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel, and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Mumbai's spirit of resilience shines through even in the face of such adversities. As the city navigates through this period of heavy rainfall and waterlogging, the collective efforts of its residents, civic bodies, and essential services continue to ensure the safety and well-being of all. This local news update highlights the ongoing efforts and challenges faced by Mumbai, underscoring the importance of staying informed during such critical times.
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