3 dead, several injured as heavy rains lash Mumbai; airlines issue travel advisories

Three persons were killed and five others injured in rain-related incidents in Mumbai, which received the first spell of heavy rains this monsoon on Friday. Few hours of incessant rains left the financial capital struggling with the familiar monsoon woes of waterlogging, delayed trains, traffic jams and choked drains.

Three persons died of electric shocks, while two others were injured in two separate incidents in the western suburbs, a spokesperson of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

The deceased were identified as Kashima Yudiyar (60), a resident of Andheri (East), Rajendra Yadav (60) and Sanjay Yadav (24) - both from Goregaon (East), said civic official.

Two people suffered injuries in the Goregaon incident and were admitted to a local hospital, he said. The police were inquiring into the Goregaon electrocution incident, he added.

Three others were injured when a portion of a wall collapsed in Dadar (East). They were admitted to the civic-run KEM Hospital.

Waterlogging was reported from areas like Kurla, Dadar, Kandivili, Vikhroli, Wadala, Worli, Kanjurmarg, Chembur, Bandra, Andheri and Bhandup among others.

"Hello, Mumbai! The island city and suburbs have received 33 mm and 95 mm rainfall respectively. While we're on our toes, it may take some time to pump out all water from waterlogged areas owing to neap tide. Hopefully, all should be well by late evening," the civic body said in a tweet.

The BMC has appealed to the citizens to avoid driving in the waterlogged areas.

"We request all citizens to not drive into water logged areas till the water is pumped out. We understand you may get slightly delayed but let's not compromise on safety," the civic body said in another tweet.

Traffic snarls were reported from several parts of the metropolis and the residents took to social media to narrate their sufferings.

"The entire city is dug up. Blame your bad maintenance and infrastructure management...Don't blame the rains....It's just one day...The common man has to suffer," a woman tweeted.

Private weather forecaster Skymet has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri and the adjoining areas in the next 24 hours.

"During the next 24 hours, light to moderate #rains with one or two heavy spells are likely to be witnessed over #Gujarat region, #Konkan and #Goa, Madhya #Maharashtra and coastal #Karnataka," it said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, some airlines issued advisories and asked flyers to keep more time in hand while travelling to the airport.