Several Flights Diverted after Heavy Rains Lash Mumbai; Orange Alert Sounded in 3 Maharashtra Districts

Mumbai: Private weather forecaster Skymet on Friday said intense rains will continue to lash Mumbai and its neighbouring areas for the next few hours, warning of water logging in several parts.

Although the city was lashed by rains, the impact was nowhere close to the fury of July 26, 2005, when it received 944 mm rainfall in a single day. The heavy downpour exactly 14 years later caused water-logging and traffic snarls in several parts of Mumbai and also led to flight delays. Heavier rainfall was reported from the suburbs and neighbouring areas towards late on Friday.

Airport authorities said that 17 incoming flights were diverted from the Mumbai airport due to fluctuating visibility. On an average, there were delays of more than an hour in airport operations.

The Mumbai Police said that intermittent heavy showers are expected through the night. "We request commuters to not venture in water logged areas and also request you all to maintain distance from the sea," they said.

Water logging was reported from several areas, including Matunga, Ghodbunder Road, Patalipada, Santa Cruz, Vasai, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur, Ambarnath and Kalyan -- users on Twitter shared images of water swirling on the roads and railway tracks from a number of places in and around the financial capital. The Western Express Highway was also affected.

A weather update from the IMD at 10 pm on Friday said intense spells of rain, accompanied with thunder and gusty winds, were likely to continue in the districts of Thane for the next four hours.

The Central Railways said it suspended services from Kalyan to Karjat/Khopoli as a precautionary measure since very heavy rainfall in Kurla-Thane belt and beyond Kalyan had led to water rushing on to the tracks.

Earlier on Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in the state and also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai in the next 24 hours. An orange alert signifies that authorities should get ready for necessary action.

"We have issued an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. An orange alert is merely a warning for authorities to get prepared, while a red alert directs them to take action as the situation might turn severe," an IMD official said. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, while extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Palghar district."

Keeping in mind the IMD forecast, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also issued warnings.

Meanwhile, IMD Deputy Director General KS Hosalikar said in a tweet said that the city had witnessed rainfall over the last 24 hours, starting from 6.30am on Friday. A few stations in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai reported heavy rainfall, he said, warning of more rain.

Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory recorded 19.1 mm rain in the 24 hours ending 8.30am on Friday, while the Santacruz weather station recorded 44 mm rainfall during that period.

The last two days of rainfall in Mumbai caused water logging in several parts of the city, including Sion, Matunga, Mahim, Andheri, Malad and Dahisar, which led to traffic snarls at several major junctions.

(With inputs from agencies)