Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai as monsoon rains intensify across the city and its suburbs, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast along with the possibility of extremely heavy showers and gusty winds of up to 60 kmph. Five rain-related deaths have been reported across Maharashtra, three in Mumbai and one each in Pune and Thane.
Over 100 mm Rainfall Recorded Across Mumbai
Several parts of Mumbai received more than 100 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on Saturday. Among the highest figures, Bandra’s H West ward office recorded 150.6 mm, Supari Tank 146 mm, and Vikhroli 143 mm. The island city averaged 99 mm, eastern suburbs 98 mm, and western suburbs 94 mm. BMC has directed schools and colleges to shut for the afternoon session due to the extremely heavy rainfall, while public transport services remain operational despite delays on the suburban local train network.
Five Deaths, Each With a Disturbing Story
The five fatalities paint a grim picture of civic preparedness. On June 30, an 11-year-old boy was killed in Mumbai when a peepal tree collapsed onto a school bus. A 55-year-old man fell into an open manhole on Khairani Road in Sakinaka after private contractors allegedly left it uncovered without warning. In Mira-Bhayandar, a man died when a tree fell on him. In Pune, a two-year-old drowned after falling into an excavation pit in Loni Kalbhor that had been left open without barricades by a contractor. In Thane, a 35-year-old woman died after coming in contact with a live wire near a power transformer while walking in heavy rain.
Electric Shock Incident in Navi Mumbai
Two college students in Navi Mumbai narrowly survived electric shocks while wading through a flooded street under the Nerul LP Bridge, after a damaged underground cable had energised the stagnant rainwater.
Heavy Rain in Pune and Thane Too
Heavy rainfall has also caused significant waterlogging and traffic jams in Pune and Thane, compounding the crisis across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
