22 died as heavy rains lash Mumbai; government announces relief
At least 22 people were killed in rain-related incidents in Mumbai, Maharashtra as the city experienced showers late last night and early Sunday morning. A red alert has been sounded after the rains in Mumbai and an advisory asks people to stay at home. Mumbai city recorded 156.94 mm rain between 8 pm and 2 am, officials said. Here are more details.
In Chembur and Vikhroli, at least 22 people were killed while six others were injured in a landslide and a house collapse. In Vikhroli, a ground-plus-one residential building collapsed, leading to the deaths of three persons, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. According to officials, 15 people were rescued from the Bharat Nagar area of Chembur, and nine were rescued from Vikroli's Surya Nagar.
Those injured have been moved to hospitals, officials said, adding that rescue operations are underway as more people are feared trapped. According to ANI, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Commandant Ashish Kumar said, "Three bodies have been recovered and 5-6 more people are feared trapped in the debris of the building that collapsed in Vikhroli area following incessant rainfall in Mumbai."
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Mumbai for the next 24 hours. According to officials, the city recorded 156.94 mm rain between 8 pm and 2 am (143.14 mm in eastern suburbs and 125.37 mm in western suburbs). According to the IMD, Mumbai is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next five days.
Further, due to waterlogging on rail tracks, the suburban train services were also hit. Train services on the main line were suspended between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Thane because of waterlogging at Dadar, Parel, Matunga, Kurla, Sion, Bhandup, and other locations, the Central Railway said. Several long-distance Central Railway and Western Railway trains were also affected.
Trains short terminated, cancelled, rescheduled and trains short originating on 18.7.2021 due to heavy rains pic.twitter.com/F4iWyvFIir
— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) July 18, 2021
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the incidents. The state government will pay Rs. 5 lakh each to the kin of those deceased, he said, adding that the injured will get free treatment. The CM's son, Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, visited the Chembur site. A BMC probe has been ordered, Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik said.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed their condolences. PM Modi announced Rs. 2 lakh each for the kin of those deceased. Those injured would be given a sum of Rs. 50,000 each.
