Drenched coastal areas, strong monsoon keeps Mumbai on high alert

Mumbai, June 9: Predictions by Indian Meteorological Department has been proven right as torrential rains have hit Maharashtra Coast as it predicted. Torrential rain drenched coastal areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala in the past 24 hours and a strong monsoon current stroked Mumbai on Saturday with heavier showers, putting the metropolis on high alert.

 

The weather office said the southwest monsoon is on track to move into Mumbai on Saturday with extremely heavy showers in some areas, which will continue for three days. The normal date for the onset of monsoon in Mumbai is June 10. In view of the progression of monsoon along the west coast of India, the India Meteorological Department has warned of increased rainfall over coastal Karnataka, Goa and south Maharashtra till Sunday.

 

These regions can expect a respite from heavy rainfall from June 12 onwards, the weather office added. Authorities in Mumbai have asked municipal officials to be available for work on Saturday and Sunday and advised people to stay indoors in view of the menacing showers forecast. Officials on leave have been asked to join duty again.

 

Several roads in Mumbai are waterlogged. Photos posted on social media by motorists show vehicles either stuck in water or moving slowly to avoid submerged potholes. On Elphinstone Road, a major thoroughfare for people going to work in south Mumbai, people complained that waterlogging is a chronic problem in the area.

The Mumbai Police have asked people to drive only if necessary. To drive home their point on safety during rain, the police tweeted a photo of a vehicle that overturned after skidding on a wet road in south Mumbai's Lower Parel.

 

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, which has often been caught off guard during devastating rain, has also tied up with the Coast Guard, Fire Brigade and the National Disaster Response Force and surveyed the known trouble spots of the city.

Mumbai was hit by heavy rain this morning as monsoon arrived, inundating low lying areas and disrupting local trains and flights. At least 20 domestic flights have been delayed and one canceled; 12 international flights are also late, while two stands canceled. Local trains are running 15-20 minutes late.

All government schools will be kept open for the two days to give shelter to stranded people. The Coast guard’s rescue teams would be posted at Colaba, Worli, Ghatkopar, Malad, and Trombay for any rescue operations. Authorities are also prepared to pump out water from low-lying areas and would post personnel to make sure people don’t fall into open manholes.