Mumbai Rains: School, Colleges Shut; Flights Hit

A Spicejet plane carrying 183 passengers overshot a wet runway here last night while landing at the airport in rain-hit Mumbai and got stuck in the mud. The passengers were evacuated using the emergency chute of the Boeing 737. (INFO/PTI)

Flight operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) here were affected due to low visibility in the evening, and seven flights were diverted.

Heavy rains coupled with thunder and lightning lashed the metropolis yesterday, slowing down movement of vehicular traffic and suburban trains, and bringing back memories of torrential downpour late last month when the financial capital came to a standstill.

There is a high tide warning at 12.03 pm of 4.54 metres for today, they added. Schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region have been instructed to remain closed today in backdrop of heavy rains. "Schools are instructed to remain close tomorrow (Wednesday) for safety due to mixed predictions. This holiday will be compensated in Diwali," Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde said.

Mumbai recorded its second highest September rain in a span of 12 hours yesterday, BMC officials said. The rainfall recorded at BMC's automatic weather stations between 8 am and 10 pm included Nariman Point (88mm), Worli (110mm), Chembur (112mm), Mulund (94mm), Andheri (208mm), Bandra (128mm) and Borivli (204mm).

This quantity falls under the weather category of 'extremely heavy rain' (204.5 mm and above), he said. The observatory recorded over 100 mm in just three hours (5.30-8.30pm), the official added.

A forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places with extremely heavy rainfall in Raigad district adjoining Mumbai is expected in the next 24 hours, according to IMD Mumbai. An India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said the Santacruz observatory recorded 225.3 mm rain from 8.30 am to 11.30 pm last night.

People of Mumbai and adjoining region braced for another spell of heavy rains today, a day after incessant downpour disrupted normal life in the megapolis, affecting rail, road and air traffic. Commuters stuck at various stations since last night due to disruption of suburban train services were seen making their way home this morning as the situation improved overnight.