Mumbai: Despite decline in cases of the novel coronavirus over the last few days, Maharashtra capital Mumbai will remain under level three of lockdown in view of the heavy rainfall under Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led government’s five-level unlock plan.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which made this announcement, issued fresh orders stating the restrictions will currently not be eased further.
ALSO READ | CSIR Gets DCGI Nod For Clinical Trial Of Colchicine On Covid Patients - All You Need To Know About The Drug
The BMC added the decision has been made in view of the city’s geographical structures, heavy rainfall prediction, population density and the number of people taking local trains to travel.
“Good Morning Mumbai. Heavy rainfall expected in the city today, tomorrow as well as day after. We request you to not venture out especially near the sea. Stay tucked in and safe at home #MyBMCMonsoonUpdate,” the BMC said in a tweet earlier in the day.
This comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed Mumbai under the ‘red’ category storm warning alert for the next two days. The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in Maharashtra for the next four days, with a high alert issued for Mumbai.
“Widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy falls likely to continue over coastal & adjoining Ghats districts of Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka during 11th to 15th June, 2021,” the IMD said in its release earlier on Friday.
ALSO READ | Mumbai Wades Through Knee Deep Water, Monsoon To Bring Heavy Rainfall In THESE States
The number of Covid-19 cases has come down significantly in Mumbai since last month. The Covid-19 positivity rate in the state capital has dropped to 4.40% and oxygen bed occupancy is at 27.12%.
Moreover, the government and private laboratories in the city are also gradually witnessing a decline in the demand for RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests.