Maha CM Eknath Shinde appeals people to stay indoors after heavy rain maroons the city
Maha CM Eknath Shinde appeals people to stay indoors after heavy rain maroons the city
The Mumbai city that never sleeps on Monday experienced torrential rains. Unaware of the situation many people particularly office-goers found it extremely difficult to move ahead to their workplace as the city’s lifeline and the public transport was irregular with many of them grounded due to flooded roads.
After viewing the situation Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed to people not to leave home unless necessary. He said he has also asked the Police Commissioner not to allow anyone near the beaches.
Some areas in Mumbai received 300 mm of rainfall between 1-7 am this morning, leaving the streets waterlogged and impacting trains and flights. It’s still raining after a break.
Speaking to reporters about how Mumbai is trying to cope with the challenging situation, Mr Shinde detailed the steps taken by the civic and rescue teams.
Railway tracks were submerged at several places and the Railways, NDRF, and civic officials pumped out a lot of water.
The CM added that “461 motor pumps of the municipal corporation and 200 pumps of the Railways are running. There is an orange alert in coastal areas. Army, Navy, and Air Force have been asked to stay on alert. Besides, seven pumping stations are also being built in the city.
The Chief Minister said civic officials were deployed in the waterlogged areas while schools were asked to shut for the day due to flooded roads.
Mumbai is the only city with micro-tunneling, which is helping in draining the water.
The city witnessed heavy downpour in the last 24 hours with the Met department issuing an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and the Konkan Belt. Orange alert signifies the need to stay prepared amid heavy rain forecast.
Videos showed locals wading through waist-deep waters across the city while passengers at Dombivli waited for trains on submerged tracks. Over 50 flights were cancelled and airlines warned fliers to leave for the airport only after checking their flight status.
News Edit K.V.Raman
