Heavy Rain, 70 Kmph Winds Buffet Mumbai, Locals Asked To Stay Home

Mumbai:

The weather in Mumbai – which is being pounded by heavy rains for more than two days — slid a few more notches this afternoon as the winds picked up, reaching upto 70 km per hour by evening. The sudden downturn drew warnings from the city police and Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray, who asked the people not to venture outdoors. Photos and messages on Twitter gave glimpses of the damage, which included tall cranes in the port area to sun shades flying off balconies, overturned cars on roads and falling trees.

Strong winds with speed reaching 70 km per hour along the coast are prevailing and likely to continue during next three to four hours, the Meteorological Department has said.

By evening, Mumbai’s Colaba area received 22.9 cm rainfall while Santacruz received 8.8 cm rain, the department added.

The Central Railway tweeted to say that due to heavy rain and waterlogging, train services on harbour line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Vashi and on the main line to Thane have been suspended.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Office said he has reviewed the situation in Mumbai and adjoining areas. The officials have been put on alert as the met office predicted heavy rainfall for tomorrow as well.

“Requesting all to remain indoors. Mumbai is lashed with high velocity winds and extremely heavy rain as we all can witness. I request all, especially journalists trying to cover this to remain safe. Stay put wherever you are,” Mr Thackeray’s son and state minister Aaditya Thackeray tweeted.

While we’ve asked all to stay home, the police and urban/ rural local bodies staff are on streets and are braving the stormy rains.
Please stay home and stay put wherever indoors you are across the entire belt receiving rains

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) August 5, 2020

Party leader Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted:

Crazy rains & winds in Mumbai, appeal to all to stay home, stay safe. https://t.co/T0Oi6kPT5L

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) August 5, 2020

The Mumbai Police emphasized the message of safety.

“We request Mumbaikars to stay indoors and not venture out unless it’s extremely essential. Practice all necessary precautions and do not venture out near the shore or water logged areas. Please #Dial100 in any emergency. Take care & stay safe Mumbai,” they tweeted under hashtag #MumbaiRains.

Since 7 on Monday evening, torrential rains have pounded the city. By the next 10 hours, the ciy had logged 230 mm of rainfall, making it the heaviest deluge since 2005.

Massive waterlogging has taken place in low-lying areas. In suburban Santacruz, a 35-year-old woman and her two children were swept away in a swollen drain after their house collapsed yesterday morning.

The Mithi river swelled up and went above the danger mark, Iqbal Singh  Chahal, commissioner of the  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had said.

On Tuesday, a red weather alert was issued for Mumbai and adjoining areas.