Surprise shower lashes Mumbai, suburbs; flight operations affected

According to reports, heavy downpour has taken place in Mumbai and its suburbs as a cyclone is likely to cross into Gujarat on June 12 by midnight making its way towards the western coast.

While people are enjoying the much-needed rainfall, experts hastened to add that this was not monsoon rain. (Image: ANI)

Mumbai: After Sunday's drizzle, a heavy spell of rainfall, lightning and thunder cheered Mumbaikars with joy on Monday night. According to reports, heavy downpour has taken place in Mumbai and its suburbs as a cyclone is likely to cross into Gujarat on June 12 by midnight making its way towards the western coast. According to news agency ANI, heavy showers lashed different parts of Mumbai. Due to the sudden change in weather and heavy downpour, visibility has gone down resulting in halt of flight operations in the city. "Visibility has gone down due to heavy rains, operations have been put on hold. United Airlines Newark to Mumbai flight has been diverted to Delhi," informed Mumbai International Airport Limited (Mumbai Airport) spokesperson. "Runway 09x27 (the main runway) will be handed over to the air traffic control any time soon to restart operations," the spokesperson said further.  Under the influence of Cyclone Vayu, which is bound to cross the western coast, sudden showers and lightning enveloped many parts of Mumbai. Citizens took to social media platforms and reported rainfall in places as far apart as Grant Road, Powai, Goregaon, Navi Mumbai and even from Thane. While people are enjoying the much-needed rainfall, experts hastened to add that this was not monsoon rain. The city of Mumbai was reeling under hot and humid conditions over the recent past, but these rainfall will definitely help in giving relief from those harsh weather conditions.

Mumbai: People play in the rain outside as heavy showers lash different parts of the city. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/M1ZsbMQeCW

— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2019

However, Gujarat has been put on alert following IMD prediction of the deep depression in the Arabian Sea developing into a severe cyclonic storm and causing heavy rainfall in the coastal areas in the coming days, a senior official said on Monday. With the warning of a heavy rainfall in parts of Gujarat, the state government has decided to deploy NDRF personnel in coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch from Tuesday morning. New Delhi shattered all records of high temperature with several parts of the national capital witnessing an all time high of 48 degree on Monday afternoon. Despite commence of monsoon in several parts of the country, weather department has predicted no possibility of any respite from heatwave in the next few days in the national capital.