At Least 16 Killed In Mumbai Due To Heavy Rain, Flights And Trains Diverted As City Halts
At least 16 people have been killed overnight in Mumbai and Thane as heavy rains continue to lash most parts of Maharashtra. Most of these deaths were reportedly due to wall collapses. At least three such cases have been reported in the past twelve hours. Mumbai is at serious risk of flooding between July 3 and 5 warning that close to 200 mm or more rain per day is likely.
Continuous rains have thrown Mumbai completely out of gear. People are unable to reach their work places as most of the streets are chocked with waterlogging. According to reports, at least 16 people have been killed overnight in Mumbai and Thane as heavy rains continue to lash most parts of Maharashtra.
Most of these deaths were reportedly due to wall collapses. At least three such cases have been reported from across Mumbai and Thane in the past twelve hours.
CM @Dev_Fadnavis visits Shatabdi Hospital to meet persons injured due to Malad Wall Collapse incident in Mumbai.
¡ª CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) July 2, 2019
Minister Yogesh Sagar was present. #Malad #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/7TH8HU82Wy
BCCL
Meanwhile, most of Mumbai continues to remain paralyzed due to the rains which have been battering the city for days. It is said to be the second highest 24-hour rain in Mumbai since 1975. The highest has been during the deluge year of 2005. Most of the roads are waterlogged, making it infeasible for vehicular traffic.
For a city which provides 30% of income tax collections in the country, 6% of the GDP and having over $380 billion economy - what is provided back to citizens is sheer garbage. #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/L3a17MC89B
¡ª Ronak Sutaria (@rsutaria) June 29, 2019
The situation is no different when it comes to the railways. The heavy rains and flooding have submerged most of the railway network, making it impossible to operate. Many trains from and through Mumbai have been diverted to other places.
Western Railway PRO: As water has receded to some extent in Nalasopara, Western Railway locals are being run with a frequency of 30 mins between Vasai Rd-Virar are running normal between Churchgate-Vasai Rd. AC local will not be run today. #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/zdzzkcT4BV
¡ª ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019
BCCL
The flight operations in Mumbai airport has also been hit by the rains. The main runway has been closed for the day after a SpiceJet flight overshot its mark while landing amid heavy rainfall. A secondary runway is operational but flights are likely to be delayed.
"Spicejet SG 6237 Jaipur-Mumbai flight overshoots runway while landing at Mumbai Airport. All passengers are safe, no injuries reported," a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement.
As many as 54 flights to be diverted to nearby airports like Ahmedabad, Goa, and Bengaluru. Domestic airlines have posted messages on social media warning people of cancellation and delays.
With more heavy rains predicted during the day, the government has declared a public holiday.
AFP
¡°Due to heavy rain forecast in Mumbai even today by IMD, People are advised to stay indoors unless there is any emergency,¡± Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.
Maharashtra Govt: Public holiday for today, declared in 3 districts of the state - Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban and Thane district. Decision has been taken due to continuous rainfall and IMD warning. #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/qdvRvP6FJT
¡ª ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2019
The city is set for more downpours in the next 24 to 48 hours. The Regional Meteorological Centre has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai city and its suburbs.
Private weather forecaster Skymet said Mumbai is at "serious risk of flooding" between July 3 and 5, warning that "close to 200 mm or more rain per day is likely during this period".
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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