Heavy rains lash Mumbai: Flights disrupted; traffic jams, water-logging reported
What's the story
Heavy rains lashed Mumbai in the early hours on Monday, leading to the disruption of flight operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as well as traffic snarls across the city. According to a spokesperson for the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), flight operations were suspended temporarily because of less visibility since 9:15 am due to the rain. Here's more.
Statement
Safety of the passengers cannot be compromised: MIAL spokesperson
"Safety of the passengers cannot be compromised. If the weather is not conducive to land, the operations will have to be kept on hold," said the MIAL spokesperson. Meanwhile, the weather department predicted more rains in parts of Maharashtra. Indian Meteorological Department forecast intermittent showers in Mumbai. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places; high tides are expected at 4:18 pm.
Twitter Post
Heavy to very heavy rainfall in Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Mumbai
IMD Mumbai: Heavy to very Heavy rainfall likely to occur at a few places in the districts of Raigad, Thane, Palghar Mumbai on July 9, and heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Raigad, Thane, Palghar Mumbai on July 10. https://t.co/wD9D7nxfz1
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
MIAL
Visibility at the airport is fluctuating, says MIAL
"Due to heavy rains, there are no movements at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai," the MIAL spokesperson earlier told ANI. "Due to heavy rains, the visibility is changing every minute. Since 9:15 am, the visibility at the airport is fluctuating. There is a delay due to weather. No cancellation as of now but 3 diversions took place till now," MIAL PRO told ANI.
Twitter Post
There is a delay due to weather: MIAL
#UPDATE MIAL PRO: Due to heavy rains, the visibility is changing every minute. Since 9:15 am, the visibility at the airport is fluctuating. There is a delay due to weather. No cancellation as of now but 3 diversions took place till now. https://t.co/FdKmO4vYdV
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Traffic snarls
Heavy rain, potholes, ongoing Metro construction cause long traffic jams
Massive traffic snarls were reported across Mumbai from several areas in eastern and western suburbs, especially in Bandra, Santacruz, and Vile Parle. Office goers took two hours to travel between Borivali and Bandra as the ongoing Metro work narrowed the Western Express Highway. Potholes near the airport flyover at Vile Parle (East) also caused long jams. Traffic was badly hit due to waterlogged roads.
Twitter Post
Water logging and traffic jams following heavy rain
Mumbai: Water logging and traffic jam in parts of the city following heavy rainfall. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/cYkM8AMyAS
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019