With the city recording 40mm rain on Friday in heavy but intermittent showers, the September rainfall has crossed the 1,000mm mark for the first time. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain at isolated places in Mumbai and Palghar on Saturday.
IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded only 3.5mm rain in the 24 hours up to 8.30 a.m. on Friday while Colaba observatory recorded 81 mm.
Between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., the city recorded 40mm rain. Heavy rainfall was seen in Dadar, Chembur, Andheri, Malad and Fort among others.
Until 8.30 a.m., Mumbai was just short of crossing the 1,000mm-mark for its September rainfall, but by 5.30 p.m., it had broken the record. The total September rainfall now stands at 1,034.5mm.
Waterlogging was reported at Sion and Hindmata junction, and BEST buses had to be diverted for a brief period. “Waterlogging occurred because much of the 40mm rain was in the three hours from 9 a.m.. But, water receded quickly,” an official from the disaster management cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said.
Meanwhile, two buildings collapsed but there were no injuries. A four-storey MHADA building at L.T. Marg in Fort collapsed around 10.30 a.m..
Three fire engines, a quick response vehicle, one emergency medical support van, and one JCB were sent to the spot. Five people were rescued by bystanders before the fire brigade arrived. They were all reported safe. The debris removal work was carried on till late in the evening.
Senior inspector Dipak Nikam of L.T. Marg police station said the MHADA had served a notice to the residents of the building, due to which the building was vacant at the time of the incident. “One shop was running on the ground floor. The shop owner ran out after hearing the noise of the collapse.”
In the second incident at Imam Wada in Bhendi Bazaar, part of three-storey Mubarak Building collapsed around 11.30 a.m.. The fire brigade, police, and an ambulance reached the spot after the incident was reported at 11.54 a.m..
Two people were rescued by fire brigade personnel. No injuries were reported. The debris removal work was on till late in the evening.
Senior inspector Sanjiv Bhole of Sir J.J. Marg police station said, “The rear portion of the upper floor collapsed but no injuries were reported as the building has been vacant for around nine months.”
