Mumbai remains cut off

Mumbai continued to remain cut off as heavy rains continued to lash the commercial capital for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.

The death toll due to landslides in the worst-affected Raigad and Ratnagiri districts in Konkan region of Maharashtra, which remained inaccessible, crossed 60, official sources said.

Thousands of office-goers began their day in the office after being stranded at the workplace overnight as suburban trains and buses did not ply since Tuesday as several areas of the city continued to be submerged.

Out-bound long-distance trains were cancelled and incoming trains diverted, railway sources said.

Suburban Santacruz Met office recorded a rainfall of 896 mm in the last 21 hours ending 5.30 am on Wednesday while Colaba recorded a mere 57.1 mm rainfall during this period.

Many suburban areas of the city also remained without power as water entered ground floor flats forcing power supply to be shut off. Even mobile and landline phone services were affected.

Flights into and out of Mumbai remained suspended due to heavy waterlogging of the runway and non-availability of landing aids. Many international flights have been diverted to other destinations.

Many areas in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts continued to remain affected due to heavy rains and landslides. The state government sought assistance of the navy, army and air force for relief and rescue operations, sources added.