Rain cripples Mumbai again

A woman died of electrocution as incessant heavy rains lashed the city and catchment areas, sending the Mithi river close to danger mark and inundating low-lying areas and disrupting air, rail and road traffic.

Civic officials said there were reports of water-logging in areas like Hindmata, Kalachowkie, Mahim Junction, Andheri-Kurla road and Ghatkopar.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said heavy rains in catchment areas sent Mithi in spate and if the water-level in the river crosses the danger, some people in nearby areas might be evacuated.

However, he said the water level in the river has started receeding.

Chavan said the flood situation in the city was under control and the police and civic body officials are keeping a close watch on it.

The rains triggered a landslide in suburban Bhandup and a wall collapsed at Mahul near Shiv Sena office. Incidents of tree felling were reported at 12 places. However, there were no casualties, the officials said.

A 40-year-old woman died while a 10-year-old boy was injured due to electrocution in Govandi, officials said.

The weather bureau has forecast frequent spells of rain with the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days in some parts of the city.

Colaba recorded 5 cm of rainfall while Santacruz registered 10 cms of rainfall from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, which falls under the category of heavy rainfall, according to Regional Met Department's Deputy Director R V Sharma.

Flight operations at the airport were delayed and some flights were diverted due to low visibility.

Visibility at the airport was below 500 metres, a MIAL spokesperson said, adding "the runway was closed for almost an hour due to poor visibility.