‘Heavy to extremely heavy’ rains expected in Mumbai, BMC issues alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted "heavy to very heavy" rains and "extremely heavy" rain in isolated places of Mumbai for Sunday. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked citizens to be careful. A civic body spokesperson on Saturday said “BMC has alerted its citizens about the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall tomorrow accompanied by lightning during the day. The civic machinery, including the Disaster Management Cell, has been put on alert.”

"We appeal to citizens to be careful and avoid venturing into the sea, and not to open manholes," he added.

On Saturday, Mumbai-Kolhapur bound Mahalaxmi Express, with around 700 passengers on board got stuck between Badlapur and Vangani. They were rescued by NDRF, Army, Navy, Air Force and railway teams around 3 pm after a 17-hour ordeal. The Indian Air Force airlifted over 120 people stuck in different parts of Thane district. While at least 70 people were stranded on the terrace of a petrol pump in Badlapur town, around 65 km from Mumbai, another 45 people were stuck at a private resort in Shahad, 46 kilometres away, the state disaster control room official said.

As many as 11 flights of various airlines were cancelled.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu congratulatedthe NDRF, Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, Police Force, Medical Team members and local administration and citizens for their shared efforts in successfully rescuing passengers trapped in Mahalaxmi Express who were trapped due to excessive rain.