Mumbai edgy on heavy rain forecast

Incessant rains throw life out of gear in Mumbai; municipal corporation advises people to stay at home

The high tide came and went without causing any damage and rain subsided in the afternoon. But Mumbai is still on the edge as the Met department has predicted heavy rain in the city and other areas of Maharashtra in the next 48 hours.

Incessant rains in the morning had thrown life out of gear, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to advise people to stay at home and schools to shut as a precaution.

Rail and road traffic was disrupted due to heavy rain, which has disrupted normal life. Several low-lying areas in the city were inundated but flights were operating normally. Trains along the Western line were running 10 minutes late, while the Central and Harbour lines were operating half an hour behind schedule.

The Mumbra bypass, a crucial link to traffic from Delhi-Ahmedabad and Agra-Nashik, was temporarily shut after it developed cracks and a crater.

The weather department has sent alerts to disaster management units of the municipal bodies, state districts and the railways to be prepared with contingency plans for the next two days.

Mumbai Mayor Sunil Prabhu has asked the administration, especially engineers, to fill potholes on Mumbai’s roads within 48 hours or face the axe. The civic administration has admitted the number of potholes this year has increased despite pre-monsoon strengthening.