Heavy overnight downpour in Mumbai causes flood-like situation across the megacity, severely affecting rail and road transport. Weather department warns of power cuts, traffic disruptions, and waterlogging in low-lying areas. By Kumar Shree
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai has received nearly 300 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. The country’s financial capital has already been dealing with an ailing economy because of the Coronavirus-induced lockdown. Now, this situation has left the authorities even more worried. The officials are concerned that people might breach the mandatory social-distancing norms because of the rains in order to reach safer places and arrange for other essentials.
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The situation is likely to get worse in the next 24 hours, as patterns suggest more downpour over the city. Train services on the Central and Harbour lines stand suspended because of the waterlogging, and even the Bombay High Court has suspended its hearings for the day.
As reported by PTI, A Central Railway spokesperson said, “Due to heavy rain and waterlogging in Sion-Kurla and Chunabhatti-Kurla, traffic has been suspended on CSMT-Thane and CSMT-Vashi sections for safety reasons.”
Moreover, Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has urged the offices and other establishments in the city, other than essential services, to suspend operations on Wednesday.
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KS Hosalikar, Deputy Director-General of IMD, tweeted, “Mumbai rains at 5.30 in Morning, 23 Sept. Colaba 122.2mm. Santacruz 273.6mm. Colaba, Santacruz continue to [receive] intense spells of rains throughout night. Radar indicates Mumbai Thane, Palghar, Raigad with intense clouds, RF likely to cont. Mumbai, Palghar Thane. [Heavy] rains could be in [during the] coming 24 hrs.”