Mumbai rains: Downpour batters city, 1 dead in Thane
Heavy rains continued to lash Mumbai for a second consecutive week, throwing normal life out of gear. The downpour also disrupted road traffic in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri on Saturday. In Thane, one person reportedly died due to electrocution. Another person was injured after the roof of a bakery in Mumbra area caved in. Here are all the updates.
Thane witnessed a flood-like situation due to heavy rains. Due to overnight rains, nullahs and housing societies were flooded and in some parts, vehicles were swept away too. A holiday was declared in schools. Similarly, several villages were marooned in Palghar district as connecting roads were flooded. Surya Dam's gates were opened as well. Meanwhile, waterlogging was reported from Malad, Andheri, and Dahisar too.
Cattle washed away as old bridge at Surya river overflows in Varoti village, Kasa taluka of Palghar district.
— TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) August 3, 2019
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Additionally, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has asked citizens to not go towards the sea, as high tide is expected to hit the city later on Saturday. "We request Mumbaikars to please stay away from the sea & venture out with care & caution. Please #Dial100 for any help & support in an emergency (sic)," Mumbai police said in a tweet earlier today.
Despite heavy rainfall, flight services have largely remained unaffected at Mumbai Airport. However, as per latest information, suburban train services were suspended between Kurla-Sion Up and Down fast lines and between Kurla-Chunabhatti Up and Down Harbor line. Meanwhile, Mumbai suburban district collector Milind N Borikar declared holiday for offices for the second half. Schools and colleges remained shut in Mumbai too.
Further, BMC started evacuating people from Kranti Nagar slum area around Mithi river after IMD forecast heavy rainfall. The locals were taken to a nearby municipal school. Reportedly, IMD has said Mumbai would receive "extremely heavy rain" on Sunday. Konkan and other parts of south Maharashtra will also witness "extremely heavy rain" tomorrow, the weather department said. People were advised to stay indoors.
Earlier, IMD revealed that Mumbai received second-highest rainfall for the month of July in the last 60 years. The city recorded 91.39% rainfall of the total required rainfall, helping monsoon to go past the 2,000mm mark. Mritunjay Mohapatra, IMD's General-designate said, "July recorded above normal monsoon, bringing the overall season's rainfall deficiency to 9%." He expected good rainfall in August's first week too.
