Mumbai braces for another day of downpour; rail, air traffic hit
September 20, 2017  08:14
image
People of Mumbai and adjoining region braced for another spell of heavy rains today, a day after incessant downpour disrupted normal life in the megapolis, affecting rail, road and air traffic.

Commuters stuck at various stations since last night due to disruption of suburban train services were seen making their way home this morning as the situation improved overnight.

A forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places with extremely heavy rainfall in Raigad district adjoining Mumbai is expected in the next 24 hours, according to India Meteorological Department, Mumbai.

Heavy rains hit flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport wherhe both runways had to be shut for sometime.

The main runway is still closed while the second runway is operating. A total of 56 flights have been diverted to Goa, Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad.

Five Western Railways trains have so far been cancelled. A total of six trains are cancelled and two diverted on Central Railways.

Several areas are massively waterlogged and a high tide is expected at around 12:03 pm today.

Mumbai Dabbawala Association spokesperson Subhash Talekar said they 'won't be working today'.

"No dabba delivery by Mumbai Dabbawalas due to rains today," he said.

An IMD official said the Santacruz observatory recorded 225.3 mm rain from 8.30 am to 11.30 pm last night.

This quantity falls under the weather category of 'extremely heavy rain' (204.5 mm and above), he said.

The observatory recorded over 100 mm in just three hours (5.30-8.30pm), the official added.

Mumbai recorded its second highest September rain in a span of 12 hours yesterday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials said.

The rainfall recorded at BMC's automatic weather stations between 8 am and 10 pm included Nariman Point (88mm), Worli (110mm), Chembur (112mm), Mulund (94mm), Andheri (208mm), Bandra (128mm) and Borivli (204mm). There is a high tide warning at 12.03 pm of 4.54 metres for today, they added.

Schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region have been instructed to remain closed today in backdrop of heavy rains.

"Schools are instructed to remain close tomorrow for safety due to mixed predictions. This holiday will be compensated in Diwali," Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde said. -- PTI, ANI

IMAGE: A bus stuck in a waterlogged subway in western Mumbai. Photograph: ANI
« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES