Mumbai's sees first disruption of this season but Sunday saved it

Amidst heavy pounding of rains, Mumbai and its suburbs saw the first major monsoon-related disruption this seasons, however, being a Sunday, people of the commercial capital escaped the inconvenience.

Weathermen feel that the wet spell would continue for next 24 to 48 hours and had advised fishermen of the coastal Konkan-Goa belt not to venture into the Arabian Sea as it is going to be choppy.

Mumbai and its suburbs in Thane, Raigad and Palghar experienced heavy showers amidst thunder and lightning since midnight and Sunday morning came as a surprise as people woke up to see water-logging in several places.  In the last 36 hours over Saturday and Sunday, several places in these districts received more than 200 mm rainfall.

The Talasari town in Palghar district recorded 470mm rain, which was the highest in the state. Vada and Vikramgadh, both in Palghar district, recorded 360 mm and 320 mm in the last two days. Shahapur in Thane district received more than 150 mm rainfall.

Important cities like Pune and Nashik too received good rainfall, reports reaching here said.

The hill stations of Mahabaleshwar, Matheran and Lonavla-Khandala too received heavy rainfall where a lot of picnickers and trekkers had gone to enjoy the weekend.

In the first bout of heavy rains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Hall claims of the local corporations and administration were washed out.

At least two persons were reported missing from the Juhu beach as they washed away into the Arabian Sea while in Shahpur in Thane district, two persons were injured in lightning.

The Dahanu taluka in Palghar district received heavy downpour where 125 mm rainfall was recorded resulting in inundation in several places as the Surya river of the district overflowed at several places.

The Central Railway was paralysed in the morning between Thane-Kalva-Mumbai as water accumulated over the tracks.

The CR also undertook two major blocks between Dombivli-Kalyan and Thane-Badlapur for a construction of flyovers, however, these had to be suspended as the services went haywire.

The Western Railway services, were, however, normal though the Vasai-Virar and Mira Road-Bhayender belt received heavy rainfall.

Waterlogging in central Mumbai areas of King’s Circle, Parel and Hindmata – and BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation had to pump out water.  Flooding was also reported from Malad subway in the western suburbs.  Inundation was also reported from some of the housing societies in Thane district.

Post-noon, Mumbai also witnessed a high tide of 4.97 metres – said to be the biggest of this season. A large number of people were seen at the Gateway of India-Apollo Bunder, Marine Drive and seafaces of Mumbai and its suburbs to see the lashing of the waves.

According to Skymet Weather, Mumbai rains are expected to intensify during the next 24 to 48 hours and the residents of the city of dreams will enjoy those rainy spells during the long weekend period.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Konkan coast over the next 120 hours, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre of the IMD.