Heavy rain brings Mumbai to a halt, flights delayed

Heavy downpour in Mumbai on Friday (July 26) caused water-logging and traffic snarls in several parts of Mumbai and also led to flight delays.

Intense spells of rain are likely to continue in the districts of Thane, Raigad, and Mumbai during next four hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Fourteen years ago on this date, Mumbai was battered by heavy rainfall, which caused havoc across the city, claiming many lives, and leaving the city paralysed.

Meanwhile, sounding an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra, the IMD also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai in the next 24 hours.

Also read: Rains return to Mumbai after hiatus; airport ops hit briefly

“According to IMD forecast, heavy rainfall with severe thunderstorm, accompanied with lightening, expected all through the night. We request citizens to avoid venturing around the sea and avoid parking vehicles under a tree. Call 1916 for in any emergency,” the BMC tweeted.

Fourteen years ago on this date, Mumbai was battered by heavy rainfall, which caused havoc across the city, claiming many lives, and leaving the city paralysed. An orange alert signifies that the authorities should get ready for necessary action.

“We have issued an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts. An orange alert is merely a warning for authorities to get prepared, while a red alert directs them to take action as the situation might turn severe. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, while extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Palghar district,” an IMD official said.

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IMD Deputy Director General KS Hosalikar tweeted, “Rainfall in last 24 hrs at morning 6.30 am today in Mumbai and around: few stations reported heavy rainfall in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Rest it was moderate as expected. Today watch for more rains please. Today’s rainfall forecast for 24 hours. Heavy rainfall over Konkan region including Mumbai. Moderate rainfall upto 40 mm in Vidarbha and some parts of Marathwada, South Madhya Maharashtra.”

Private weather forecaster Skymet Weather tweeted, “MumbaiLife rains Nowcast: #MumbaiRains may be heavy in some parts of the city and suburbs in the next 2-4 hours.” The Colaba observatory recorded 19.1 mm rain in the 24 hours ending 8:30 a.m. on Friday, while the Santacruz weather station recorded 44 mm rainfall during that period.

The last two days of rainfall in Mumbai caused water-logging in several parts of the city, including Sion, Matunga, Mahim, Andheri, Malad, and Dahisar, which led to traffic snarls at several major junctions.

Also read: Trains delayed, roads flooded as monsoon hits Mumbai