Mumbai Rain: Incessant rain over the last 24 hours wreaked havoc in several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, where several areas experienced flooding, disrupting day-to-day life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared a "red alert" in the coastal city till 8.30 am on Friday predicting extremely heavy rainfall.
Heavy showers and low visibility in Mumbai hit normal operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Thursday with runway suspensions and flight diversions or cancellations. Several areas in the city also experienced flooding, with two out of the seven lakes that supply water to Mumbai overflowing. Sion, Chembur, and Andheri areas of the city were severely affected by waterlogging.
In a nowcast warning issued at 7 am today, IMD said moderate spells of rain are very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Ratnagiri, Mumbai and ghat areas of Pune and Satara during the next few hours.
Mumbai Police Advisory
Mumbai police have issued an advisory requesting Mumbaikars to stay indoors till IMD's 'red alert' is in effect.
"IMD has declared a red alert for Mumbai till today morning 8.30 am. Requesting all Mumbaikars to stay indoors, until essential. Please stay safe. Dial 100, 112 in case of emergencies," the Mumbai Police said in a post on X.
'Red Alert'
The IMD had issued a red alert for Mumbai city and neighbouring Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in some places and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places during till Friday morning.
Given the forecast, the Thane Municipal Corporation has ordered the closure of closed schools and colleges in the district today.
Disaster management teams have been deployed in various parts of the state, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team engaged in relief and rescue operations.
Lakes Overflowing
Owing to incessant rains in the catchment areas, Vihar and Modak Sagar lakes started overflowing. With this, four of the seven reservoirs providing potable water to the metropolis are now overflowing, as Powai and Tulsi lakes were already overflowing.
Due to incessant rains, the water level of the Mithi River, which runs through the industrial hub of the city, also rose to 2.5 metres, close to the danger mark of 4.2 metres.