Mumbai rains leave 2 dead

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, June 19

At least two persons died after being electrocuted by fallen wires and several others were injured in separate incidents following heavy rain in Mumbai. People living on the banks of the Mithi river in suburban Mumbai have been evacuated to safer places as it is overflowing.

The authorities have advised schools and colleges to remain closed for the second consecutive day on Saturday. "The city has received 10 per cent of the season's rainfall in 24 hours,"

According to the met department Mumbai and its suburbs have received more than 500 mm of rain in the past two days.

Mumbaiites received an unexpected holiday today after the incessant rain since Thursday morning flooded roads and the city's three train lines apart from disrupting air traffic.

With the downpour getting heavier through the wee hours of Friday, the administration moved early, sending out warnings to people not to venture out of their homes. The disaster management cell of the Maharashtra Government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation sent out messages ordering schools and colleges to be shut.

The Bombay High Court also sent messages announcing closure of courts across the city as employees and lawyers could not turn up for work. According to a private weather agency, Skymet, the city received an average rainfall of 283 mm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am today. 

The city's major lifelines, the suburban sections of the western and central railways and the harbour branch of the central line, were flooded early Friday morning.

Railways spokespersons appealed to people not to travel unless there's emergency. The Western Railway was plying partially between Borivali and Bandra in the suburbs while services to the city were hit because of flooding at Mahim, Matunga and Dadar stations.

"Low-lying ares of Mumbai like Kurla, Chembur, Tilak Nagar, Andheri, Parel apart from areas in Thane, Navi Mumbai and Dombivili were flooded," a spokesperson of the disaster management cell said. The civic-run BEST halted services on many roads which were flooded.