Heavy rain throws Mumbai off track

Incessant rain lashing Mumbai and neighbouring districts of Thane and Palghar on Sunday threw life out of gear. 

At least nine people, including four children and three women, were killed and 10 injured when a residential building collapsed in Bhiwandi town of Thane amid heavy rain.

The suburban trains, considered the lifeline of daily commuters in Mumbai and adjoining areas, were affected due to the heavy rain. But as it was a holiday and offices remained closed, the impact was less.

However, the Central Railway reported delays mainly on account of waterlogging near the Kalwa station and a landslide at the mouth of the Parsik tunnel.

The Ghodbunder Road in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region was choked due to waterlogging. It was the worst hit as it connects Vasai-Virar in Palghar district to Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. The area received more than 100 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours.

In fact, people took to Twitter to vent their ire. “#Ghodbunder road looks like a collection of toy vehicles lined up and standing still - since the #mumbairains are playing with them all!,” Garfield D’souza said.  “Ghodbunder road reminds me of Kasara ghat #lovestruck #rains #drive ,” Gaurav Bajaj tweeted.

Most of the streams at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai and Tungareshwar in the Thane-Palghar belt are overflowing, with a threat of flash floods looming large. “Dear Mumbaikars, in wake of the constant heavy downpour since yesterday, we hereby alert you of flash floods in the various streams flowing from the SGNP and Tungareshwar forests.

Please follow caution. Avoid streams and water courses,” the SGNP said in a Facebook post.

Also, traffic between Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai-Nasik, Mumbai-Raigad and Mumbai-Ahmedabad slowed because of the heavy rain.

The Met department has forecast heavy rainfall for Mumbai on Monday and has also asked fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea for the next 24 hours.

According to Skymet Weather, Mumbai has received very good rain. “In the month of July, Mumbai has recorded 925.6 mm of rain against its monthly average of 799.7 mm. About ten days ago, it seemed impossible for Mumbai to be able to even get close to its monthly average,” the private weather advisory service said.

DH News Service & Agencies