Schools and colleges in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region remained closed on Wednesday, as the city continued to receive heavy rain and face water-logging in many areas.
The India Meteorological Department withdrew the warning for heavy rainfall, though it said intermittent showers would continue over Mumbai in the next 48 hours. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said the Met Department had not issued a cyclone warning and requested people to refrain from spreading rumour.
The Mumbai Police warned residents to stay away from beaches as high tide is expected at 12.03 pm and 6.04 pm.
In the past 24 hours, the city recorded 210 mm rainfall, the suburbs 303 mm and the nearby Dahanu town 304 mm, said Deputy Director General of the India Meteorological Department KS Hosalikar. Areas such as Colaba, Worli, Bandra, Dadar, Churchgate, Andheri and Borivli received heavy showers.
At least 56 flights were diverted as the main runway at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport remained closed on Wednesday. Runways 14 and 32 were operational. Both runways at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport were non-operational.
Five trains of the Western Railways were cancelled. On the Central line, six trains were cancelled and two were diverted. Suburban railway services resumed, though trains are running late.
Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas, who deliver food across the city, also said they will not be working on Wednesday.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation activated more than 130 pumps in flooded areas on Tuesday, reported Hindustan Times. BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta directed the civic officials to monitor the flood situation in the city and not leave offices until further orders. At least 60 BMC officials were deployed to clean clogged drains. Seventeen cases of tree fall were reported, according to DNA.
The City Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, the Fire Brigade and the Navy have been asked to be on standby for the next few days, the English newspaper reported.
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