27 killed in Mumbai Rains as overnight downpour brings city to a standstill, heavy rainfall expected today
With heavy rains lashing Mumbai for the fifth consecutive day, air, train and road traffic has been disrupted. At least 22 people have been killed in separate incidents of wall collapse in the state due to heavy rains. In view of the Indian Meteorological Department’s forecasts of heavy rains today in and around Mumbai, Maharashtra has declared Tuesday as a public holiday in Mumbai.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said monsoon in Maharashtra will be vigorous for the next four to five days, especially the northern parts of the state.
It has also predicted that monsoon will be active in the southern parts of Maharashtra. Konkan Goa will get widespread rains in the next five days.
This system is expected to enter Maharashtra through Vidarbha. Maharashtra, mostly the northern part, will get fairly widespread (51 to 74 per cent area) to mostly widespread (76 per cent and above area) rains till July 3. Isolated heavy to very heavy rains warning has been issued for north of Maharashtra.
Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi said 540 mm of rain fell in two days in the city, the highest over a two-day period in a decade, and attributed “climate change and changed geographical conditions” for waterlogging at several places.
The inundation is due to high amount of built-up area in Mumbai and the low proportion of water seepage into the ground in the last 50 years, he said.
Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar said there was waterlogging in some areas but it was incorrect to say that the city was “inundated” after heavy rains. The Meteorological Department warned of “extremely heavy” rainfall in adjoining areas of Thane and Palghar on July 2, 4 and 5. A few places in Mumbai could get heavy to very heavy rainfall Monday and Tuesday, it added.
Private weather agency Skymet said Mumbai is at “serious risk of flooding” between July 3 and 5.
Via IndiaToday
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