Mumbai Schools To Remain Shut Today, Announces BMC After Heavy Rain Warning

Mumbai woke up to heavy rains on Wednesday. Severe waterlogging was reported from areas such as Sion and Thane. In view of the rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has announced holiday for city schools. BMC spokesperson said that, “In wake of IMD’s warning of heavy rainfall for rest of the day, schools shall remain closed today.” He also added that, “Principals of schools where students are already in, are requested to take precautions and ensure that they are sent back home carefully and safely.” #MumbaiRains was top trend on Indian Twitter with people reporting about bad conditions of roads. Low visibility was also reported from areas in and around Eastern Expressway. Similar conditions prevailed in area of Powai.

Mumbai Police also issued an advisory on Twitter. “Dear Mumbaikars, The IMD authorities have indicated high rainfall weather for Mumbai and other adjoining districts for the next 2 days. Please take adequate precautions and ensure safety. #Dial100 in case of an emergency. Take care Mumbai,” the tweet said. Last month also saw heavy rainfall in the Maximum City. Maharashtra has witnessed not just heavy rains but floods in several parts in areas such as Kolhapur and Sangli. In July, the Mumbai University had postponed the exam of B.Sc Computer Science for first and second year students due to heavy rains. There are also reports that the city went past 78 per cent of the average August rainfall in the last five days with Santacruz recording nearly 500 mm till Tuesday.

Around 35 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in five districts of western Maharashtra in a week, including 17 who drowned after a boat capsized near Brahmanal village in Sangli. Four lakh people have so far been been moved to safety from the flood-affected areas of Maharashtra, officials said on Sunday, adding 761 villages in 69 tehsils are affected by the deluge.

Over five lakh cusec of water has been discharged from Almatti dam on the Krishna river in Karnataka to ease the flood situation in western Maharashtra.

Koyna dam in Satara discharged 53,882 cusec of water as its catchment area was still experiencing torrential rains, an official said.

Rains pounded Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Sindhudurg districts in the state in August.

(With agency inputs)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mumbai Police also issued an advisory on Twitter. 
• #MumbaiRains was top trend on Indian Twitter.
• IMD has indicated high rainfall weather for next two days.