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As Mumbai continues to battle the torrential rain, which has affected the daily life of people, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged
residents to stay indoors unless necessary. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, predicting extremely heavy rainfall and wind gusts reaching 80 to 90 kilometers per hour. As per the advisory, approximately 15,000 BMC officers and employees are actively deployed throughout the city, monitoring conditions and coordinating response efforts.
Maintain Distance from Trees, Hoardings, Electric Poles
Authorities have emphasised safety precautions, advising citizens to maintain a safe distance from trees, dilapidated buildings, hoardings, and electric poles to mitigate risks. Residents are discouraged from parking vehicles under trees and are advised to avoid low-lying areas and the seashore due to the heightened risk of flooding.
This comes after three individuals lost their lives due to tree falls caused by the heavy rain. In one incident, a young man was killed when a tree fell on a shop in Kurla West, while an 18-year-old motorcyclist died after a tree branch struck him in Goregaon East. Electrocution incidents have also surged, with at least six reported deaths across the region, highlighting the dangers posed by waterlogged roads and exposed electrical wires.
Work-from-Home Advised in Mumbai
In response to the severe weather, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has recommended that private offices implement work-from-home policies wherever possible. Non-essential government offices are advised to operate on a half-day basis.
“Private offices are advised to allow Work From Home wherever possible. Non-essential Government offices will observe a half-day,” the SDMA said in its advisory.
Flights, Train Services Affected
The ongoing rainfall has led to widespread disruptions across the city, including severe waterlogging and significant flight delays at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with runway operations temporarily suspended for nearly an hour due to adverse weather conditions. Strong winds and reduced visibility have caused delays for around 90% of departing flights, averaging a delay of 75 minutes, with some flights diverted to nearby airports.
Tragically, the heavy rains have resulted in multiple fatalities. While, Mumbai's local train services are also facing significant disruptions due to landslides and waterlogging across various routes in the city. Commuters have reported delays ranging from 3 to 16 minutes on multiple lines, causing inconvenience during the morning rush hour.
Emergency Contacts
In case of emergencies, residents are encouraged to contact the BMC helpline at 1916 for immediate assistance. The BMC stresses the importance of adhering to official advisories and cautions against the spread of rumors.
As Mumbai continues to grapple with the effects of this severe weather, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of its residents, with officials urging everyone to remain vigilant and prepared for ongoing rainfall in the coming days.
