Mumbai: With the strong entry of the monsoon in Mumbai, the pace of the metropolis slowed down. Heavy rains late Tuesday night submerged many areas of the city. Roads were flooded to knee depth, many subways had to be closed, and local train service was also affected. Everyone, from office goers to school and college students, had to face problems. In view of the situation, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Wednesday and has advised people to remain alert.
Where was the maximum impact seen?
The maximum impact of rain was seen in low-lying areas and major traffic routes. There was waterlogging in many parts of Saki Naka, Andheri, Everard Nagar and Navi Mumbai. Vehicles were seen crawling at many places, while traffic had to be temporarily stopped on some routes. The administration closed the subway in Everard City as it was completely submerged in water.
How much were local train services affected?
The local train service, considered the lifeline of Mumbai, was also affected by the rain. Due to a technical fault in the track on the Trans Harbour Line, 24 local trains had to be cancelled. According to railway officials, the affected portion has been repaired, but in view of safety, the speed of trains was kept low on some routes. Due to this, passengers had to face extra time and also face crowding.
Why did the Andheri underpass again become a cause of concern?
Andheri underpass, which is in the headlines every year during the monsoon, has been hit by waterlogging this time too. According to BMC officials, no quick solution has been found yet to the problem of continuous water filling. Despite warnings, some drivers try to pass through waterlogged roads. On Tuesday, an auto driver got stuck in the middle of the road and was later rescued safely by the corporation employees.
Was the rest of the rail network normal?
Despite heavy rains, services continued on most routes of the Western Railway and Harbour Line. Train operations continued normally on major routes, including the Churchgate-Dahanu corridor. However, as a precautionary measure, the speed of trains was reduced at many places so that there is no possibility of any kind of accident.
What do the rainfall figures tell?
According to BMC, an average of 56 mm of rainfall was recorded in the city from Monday morning till late at night. The impact of rain was relatively greater in the western suburbs. In areas like Kandivali, Malad, Juhu and Santa Cruz, 20 to 32 mm of rain was recorded within an hour. Due to continuous rain, pressure on the drainage system also increased.
What is the weather warning?
The Meteorological Department estimates that rain may continue in Mumbai and the surrounding areas for the next two days. In view of this, the administration has advised people living in low-lying areas to take special precautions. An appeal has also been made to avoid going to the seashore and unnecessary travel. At present, this early monsoon rain seems to be more of a challenge than a relief for Mumbaikars.
