NDRF teams have been deployed across Maharashtra as the IMD has issued heavy rainfall warnings for several regions in the state.
IMD Issues Yellow Alerts for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar
WEATHER INFO- Nowcast warning issued at 0700 Hrs IST dated 22.07.2024: Moderate spells of rain very likely to occur at isolated places in the district of Mumbai during next 3-4 hours. -IMD @moesgoi @ndmaindia @DDNewslive @DDNewsHindi @airnewsalerts @AkashvaniAIR pic.twitter.com/Gvxj9gcAuP
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) July 22, 2024
Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts are under a yellow alert for three days starting Monday, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The Mumbai Metropolitan Region experienced heavy rain on Sunday due to five different weather systems, causing widespread waterlogging, road closures, traffic disruptions, flight diversions, incidents of short circuits, and evacuation of picnickers. Civic and traffic police personnel engaged in relief and rescue efforts.
Heavy Rainfall in Various Parts of the City
Several areas of Mumbai recorded rainfall between 100mm and 190mm, leading to significant waterlogging. The IMD attributed the intense downpour to two primary weather systems—the monsoon trough and the off-shore trough—along with three additional weather systems: a cyclonic circulation over the northeast Arabian Sea near Kutch, a well-marked low-pressure area over interior Odisha and adjoining Chhattisgarh, and a shear zone.
Impact on Air Travel and Local Transportation
Operations at Mumbai airport were suspended twice during the day, resulting in the cancellation of 36 flights and the diversion of 15 flights, some via Ahmedabad. Waterlogging affected many parts of the city, prompting officials to oversee relief work and open manholes with additional manpower. Congress leaders Sufiyan Haider and Priyanka Sanap used a ferry in Versova to highlight the BMC’s inefficiency in draining waterlogged areas.
Reports of Falling Branches, Wall Collapses, and Short Circuits
There were reports of falling branches or trees from five locations in the city, two in the eastern suburbs, and twelve in the western suburbs. Complaints of wall collapses were received from eight locations, including one in the eastern suburbs and six in the western suburbs. Six short circuit incidents were also reported, four from the city and two from the western suburbs. Officials routed all complaints to the relevant departments and initiated relief work promptly.
Minor Landslide and Picnicker Rescues
A minor landslide occurred at Kajolkar Society, Chimbal Road, Jagdusha Nagar in Ghatkopar. A house affected by falling stones during the landslide was evacuated, with personnel from the N ward and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) inspecting and cordoning off the area. No injuries were reported.
In Navi Mumbai, several picnickers trapped near popular waterfalls were rescued by police, civic officials, and fire brigade personnel. “Over 60 people were trapped near the waterfall ahead of Jai Durga Nagar in sector 8 of Belapur due to strong water currents,” said Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde. Fire brigade personnel and the emergency response team, along with Navi Mumbai police, rushed to the spot and rescued the tourists.
Centralized Monitoring of Navi Mumbai
Officials monitored the situation in Navi Mumbai from the newly established centralized command center at the NMMC headquarters in Belapur, which is connected to over 1,500 CCTV cameras.