Mumbai Faces Severe Waterlogging and Traffic Chaos Amid Heavy Rainfall
Mumbai, 26th July 2024: The city has been grappling with heavy rainfall, leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic congestion. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a nowcast warning at 7 am today, forecasting moderate showers at isolated locations in Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Ratnagiri, Mumbai, and the ghat areas of Pune and Satara over the next 3-4 hours.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai for July 26 and a yellow alert for July 27, with a red alert for Navi Mumbai on Friday. Yesterday, a red alert was issued for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas until Friday morning.
Key Updates:
– Rainfall Measurements: In the past 24 hours (from 8 am Thursday to 8 am Friday), Mumbai received an average of 81 mm of rainfall. The city’s eastern and western suburbs reported 80 mm and 92 mm respectively. Some areas, such as Malpa Dongri in Andheri with 157 mm, Paspoli in Powai with 155 mm, and Dindoshi with 154 mm, recorded over 100 mm of rain between 4 am and 1 pm on Thursday.
– Current Forecast: The IMD’s 7 am nowcast predicts moderate rainfall at isolated locations in the mentioned districts for the next few hours.
– Weather Conditions: The BMC forecasts moderate to heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs today, with occasional gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph. High tide in the Arabian Sea is expected to reach 4.46 meters at 3:32 pm.
– Alerts and Warnings: The IMD’s orange alert for Mumbai on July 26 and yellow alert for July 27 reflect ongoing weather concerns, while Navi Mumbai faces a red alert on Friday. Yesterday’s red alert anticipated heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad.
– Educational Institutions: The BMC has announced that schools and colleges will remain open today as usual, but advised residents to stay updated through their institutions. A holiday was declared on Thursday due to intense rain. Conversely, the Raigad administration has ordered the closure of schools and colleges on Friday.
– Water Levels: Powai Lake has reached full capacity due to the recent heavy rains, causing it to overflow. Four rivers in Maharashtra, including the Kundalika and Amba, are exceeding safe levels, posing risks to nearby villages. The Mithi River near Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport is just a meter below the danger mark.
– Water Supply Update: With lake levels rising, the BMC has decided to lift the 10 percent water cut starting July 29.
– Airport Operations: Mumbai airport experienced two runway suspensions on Thursday due to visibility dropping to 300 meters. The first suspension lasted from 08:32 to 08:43 and the second from 10:36 to 10:55. This disruption led to the cancellation of 11 flights and the diversion of ten others. Passengers were advised to arrive early due to anticipated traffic congestion and waterlogging.
– Rain-Related Fatalities: Rain-related incidents across Maharashtra have resulted in at least 15 deaths over the past 24 hours. In Pune city, three people died from electrocution and three more are feared dead in Lavasa city, Mulshi, due to a landslide. Other fatalities include a person killed in a landslide in Maval, Pune district, and a drowning victim in Raigad. In Mumbai, a man died in a fire caused by a short-circuit, while another person died in a landslide. Additionally, three people were killed by lightning strikes in Chandrapur, and two drowned in the Barvi dam, Thane.
