Mumbai: Mumbai has come to a standstill on Friday after over 30 hours of incessant rains and two people have lost their lives due to electrocution. With Mithi river crossing the danger mark, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation might order evacuations.
The city has received more than 500 mm of rain in the last 24 hours and several parts of Mumbai have been waterlogged, with areas like Kurla, Sion, Matunga, Hindmata, Jogeshwari and Andheri being the worst affected. The city's landmark Bandra-Worli Sea Link has been shut which may lead to heavy traffic jam.
The downpours inundated low-lying areas and also caused water-logging of railway tracks. Local train services cancelled leaving thousands of commuters stranded. While Central Railway services still remain cancelled, the Western Railway has partially resumed services on a limited stretch between Andheri and Virar.
The first big civic fallout was BEST buses being diverted as all three major lines have been disrupted. BEST has also shut down four sub-stations in Colaba.
Flight operations at the city airport were delayed by up to 45 minutes and three services had to be diverted due to incessant rain that has been lashing the financial capital since late Thursday evening.
Rain-battered Mumbai braced for more heavy rains and high tide in the sea and the City's Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta advised schools to remain closed on Saturday. "The city has experienced unprecedented rainfall in the last 24 hours, more than that the city usually receives in 10 days." Mehta said.
"Of the total annual average rainfall Mumbai experiences, 10 per cent of it has been received in 24 hours, which usually takes 10 days," he added.
Mehta said IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours and thus it is advisable that all schools in the city remain shut on Saturday as well.
The civic chief said that the today's high tide witnessed in the city was of more than 3 meters and Mumbai is likely to witness high tides of more than 4 meters, one at about 2 AM and another at about 3:10 PM on Saturday.
Hailing work done by the civic body to battle incessant rains, Mehta said that all, including the officials and the workers have strived hard to minimise the effects of rains on the city.
"Since there is heavy rainfall along with a high tide expected tomorrow, people should stay away from the seas and ensure that they do not walk on the promenade. Also, before leaving their homes, people should make sure that the route they plan to take is safe for travel," he added.
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