At least 12 people have died in rain-related incidents across Maharashtra as heavy downpours continue to batter the state, Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan said on Tuesday.
Nanded district has
been the worst affected, reporting nine fatalities due to flooding. In Mumbai, one person lost his life after a wall collapsed, triggered by the rains. Two more deaths were reported from other districts.
Authorities said relief and rescue teams are on alert in vulnerable areas as the state braces for more rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai and its suburbs today, warning of very heavy rainfall as the city continues to reel under persistent downpours.
Civic and disaster management agencies have been placed on high alert.
Air travel was severely impacted, with data from Flightradar showing delays in 155 departing flights and 102 arrivals at Mumbai Airport.
In view of the conditions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a holiday for government, semi-government and municipal offices, except essential services.
It also urged private offices in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to allow employees to work from home and advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel.
“Considering the red alert for very heavy rainfall in Mumbai city and suburbs, all government, semi-government, and BMC offices (excluding essential services) will remain closed today,” the civic body said.
Educational institutions were also affected.
Schools and colleges in Mumbai remained closed, while the Directorate of Higher Education declared a holiday for senior colleges across Maharashtra’s Konkan region, including Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
Transport services faced widespread disruption. Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses were diverted in parts of the city due to flooded roads. Waterlogging on low-lying railway tracks in Dadar, Matunga, Parel and Sion caused inconvenience for commuters.
Train services on the Central Railway line were running 20 to 30 minutes late due to heavy showers and reduced visibility. Officials said waterlogging on some stretches had slowed down movement. The situation was compounded by a signalling glitch reported early in the morning between Ambivali and Shahad stations.
