Maharashtra is reeling under terrible floods due to incessant heavy rains over the past few days. In two similar incidents due to very heavy rains last night, lives of sixteen persons have been lost overnight in Mumbai and Thane.
Several trains, including suburban and long-distance had to be cancelled following railway tracks completely submerged.
It may be noted that as a precautionary measure, the Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday today in Mumbai and has urged the people to stay indoors.
Simultaneously, 54 flights have been diverted as the main runway of the Mumbai airport was closed after a SpiceJet plane overshot the runway while landing last night. The plane is still stuck on the runway.
According to reports, Mayanagri has received the decade's highest rainfall over a two-day period since Sunday. The rains has led to massive traffic jams and flooded residences in low-lying areas. "Due to heavy rain forecast in Mumbai even today by IMD, People are advised to stay indoors unless there is any emergency," Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's office tweeted.
The state government said that only emergency services will remain functional in Mumbai today.
Taking to Twitter, Central Railway said, "It's nature's fury… Moving trains in such rains in Kurla Thane section is safety hazard at this point of time… Suburban Train movement has been suspended till further advice. Inconvenience is deeply regretted."
However, Western and Central Railway have been tweeting updates of train lines that are functional.
Meanwhile, 13 people have been killed and four others were left critically injured after a compound wall fell in Mumbai's Malad East in the wee hours. There may be persons trapped in the debris, fear officials. Similarly, in Thane's Kalyan, three have been killed after the wall of a school crashed on two houses. Reportedly, the Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of those who died in the Malad wall collapse.
All schools and colleges are ordered to remain closed on Tuesday, said the municipal commissioner.
The Western Express Highway connecting Mumbai airport had been flooded after continuous rain in the city, disrupting smooth flow of the people to the airport.
As per a NDTV Report, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi said, that in June, average rainfall was 515 mm. But Mumbai received 540 mm in just two days. This is the highest in a decade.
As per Skymet weather, levels of rainfall are likely to increase from the night of July 3, following a weather system forming in the Bay of Bengal that is moving towards the western coast of the country.