Mumbai experienced over 100mm of rainfall in the last 12 hours until 8 pm, resulting in widespread waterlogging, disruption of local train services between Dadar and Matunga, and diversions of flights. The India Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rainfall in Maharashtra from July 22 to July 24, with moderate rain expected in isolated areas including Mumbai, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Thane, and the Ghats of Satara over the next three hours.
According to officials, Mumbai recorded 101 mm of rainfall, while the eastern and western suburbs received 121 mm and 113 mm respectively. The downpour has caused the water level of the Mithi River to rise significantly, reaching 2.26 meters and approaching the 2.7-meter flood mark, as reported by civic authorities. The Mithi River was a primary factor in the Mumbai floods of 2005, flowing from Sanjay Gandhi National Park to the Arabian Sea via Mahim Creek.
In preparation for the monsoon season, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams preemptively at Vasai (Palghar), Thane, Ghatkopar, Powai (Kurla), Mahad (Raigad), Khed & Chiplun (Ratnagiri), Kudal (Sindhudurg), Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara.
“We have deployed NDRF teams at Vasai (Palghar), Thane, Ghatkopar, Powai( Kurla), Mahad (Raigad), Khed & Chiplun (Ratnagiri), Kudal (Sindhudurg), Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara due to Monsoon Season as Pre-positioning apart from three teams at Mumbai and one team at Nagpur as regular deployment. Teams are on alert for any emergency response at their locations doing recee at low-lying areas and landslide-prone areas,” said NDRF officials.
36 flights cancelled; 15 flights redirected
On Sunday, around 36 flights were canceled and 15 flights were rerouted from Mumbai airport to Allahabad because of heavy showers. For precautionary measures, runway operations were discontinued twice for a short duration.
Local train services halted
The Central Railway services on the down-fast line between Dadar and Matunga stations were halted but were resumed back as the rain intensity waned. A delay of 15 to 20 minutes was reported on the Harbour Line because of the flooding near Kurla, Panvel, and Mankhurd stations. Although, Western Railways services were not affected.
Long traffic snarls were also reported in central Mumbai, Matunga, and Wadala. Water logging resulted in traffic diversions at the Maharashtra Nagar Subway, Khar Subway, and Andheri Subway.
(With inputs from PTI)