Most of the Mumbai region woke up to heavy rainfall on Sunday morning, which continued through the day, causing waterlogging at several places and submerging rail tracks on some routes. There were delays in suburban trains, and over 70 bus routes had to be diverted.
A portion of a three-storey building’s balcony collapsed in Kurla, but no injury was reported. The city reported 12 other incidents of slabs collapsing, while a building had to be vacated in Poisar after it developed cracks.
Of the 26 weather stations in Mumbai and its suburbs, 14 recorded more than 100 mm rainfall since Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) here said, adding that Chembur received the highest (184.2 mm) followed by Goregaon (162.2 mm).
The suburbs reported incessant rainfall through the night and morning, but post-noon, the island city received more rain. In the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Sunday, the IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded 131.1 mm rainfall and the Colaba observatory recorded 33 mm. As of 8.30 p.m, Colaba recorded 140.4 mm and Santacruz 66 mm. IMD has forecast similar weather conditions until Wednesday.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) received complaints of waterlogging at several places, including Hindmata, Parel TT, Gandhi market, Mukhyadhyapak Bhavan, Sion’s Road no. 24, Chembur, Kurla’s Bail Bazaar, Sheetal Cinema LBS road, Milan Subway and National College, Bandra.
Eighteen pump sets were operated in six major pumping stations, apart from 111 dewatering pumps used locally. The BMC’s Disaster Management Cell received as many as 20 complaints of trees or branches falling till Sunday morning. The low-lying areas of Parel, Dharavi, Matunga and King’s Circle in Mumbai, and Diva, Dombivali, Kalyan and Ambernath in Thane district, were flooded due to the rain.
The IMD has forecast similar weather conditions until Wednesday. “The cloud mass is the most towards northern side of Mumbai. Northwest winds over coast are giving rainfall over Mumbai,” a senior IMD official said. Monday’s forecast is “Heavy rainfall at isolated places in Greater Mumbai, Thane and Palghar.”
With 1,240.8 mm rainfall, Mumbai has already received 49.34% of the season’s average.
The figure stood at 28.6% this time last year. The all-time record of highest July rainfall is of July 27, 2005 (944mm). Last year’s highest July rainfall was on July 18 (163.4mm). On Monday, high tide is at 8.56 a.m. (3.69 metre)
With PTI inputs
