Severe Weather Disrupts Mumbai: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to the Crisis
In a significant weather event, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and its surrounding regions, predicting thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The city is grappling with severe waterlogging, forcing residents to navigate through waist-deep water in several neighborhoods.
Impact of Heavy Rainfall
Recent reports indicate that numerous areas in Mumbai experienced over 100 mm of rain, leading to extensive flooding. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives due to lightning strikes while working at a stone quarry in Varap village within Kalyan taluka during the downpour.
BMC Responds with School Closures
In response to the adverse weather conditions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced that all schools and colleges in Mumbai would remain closed on Thursday. The BMC communicated via X platform stating: “The IMD has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall until 8:30 am tomorrow (September 26, 2024). To ensure student safety, all educational institutions will be closed.” They further urged citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Disruption of Air Travel
The inclement weather also severely affected flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Two flights were diverted while seven others had to abort their landings due to challenging conditions. An Air India flight from Rajkot was rerouted to Ahmedabad after being unable to land in Mumbai as scheduled. Similarly, an IndiGo flight arriving from Bangkok faced diversion for safety reasons related to wind shear. By late evening on Wednesday, multiple flights experienced delays averaging around 30 minutes as they attempted landing amidst worsening weather.
Rail Services Face Challenges
Train services operated by Central Railway were significantly disrupted due to heavy water accumulation north of Vidyavihar station affecting areas like Kanjurmarg and Bhandup starting around 8:10 pm on Wednesday evening. Visibility issues caused delays along the Harbour line as well; Thane recorded an alarming total of 81 mm of rain within just twelve hours beginning at 8:30 am that day. This inundation particularly impacted low-lying regions such as Vandana Talkies and contributed heavily towards traffic congestion during peak hours amid ongoing rains.
Conclusion
As Mumbai continues facing these extreme weather challenges marked by substantial rainfall and associated hazards like flooding and disruptions across various transport sectors—air travel and rail services—the local authorities are taking necessary precautions for public safety while urging residents to remain vigilant during this tumultuous period.
