Day 1 of Mumbai Rains: Two minors electrocuted, transport hit
In a fresh forecast, IMD has predicted cloudy conditions with the possibility of rain & thundershowers today and light to moderate rainfall for Wednesday (Picture Courtesy: Nilesh Shah)
The first spell of heavy rains in Mumbai may have brought some respite from the sweltering heat, but proved fatal for two minors and left thousands stranded on Monday.
Two minors electrocuted
According to BMC’s Disaster Control cell, two minors were electrocuted amid heavy rains and severe thunderstorms. The minors, identified as Tushar Jha (12) and Rushabh Tiwari (11), were residents of Vimladevi chawl in Poisar, Kandivali East.
The kids were playing outside during the rains when they reportedly touched an iron ladder, which had come in contact with an exposed live wire.
Both were rushed to nearby Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Samta Nagar police later registered two accidental death cases in connection with the mishap.
Rail traffic affected
Rail traffic on both Central and Western lines was affected due to the sudden downpour yesterday night.
A technical snag in the overhead pentograph near Chunabhatti and overhead wire tripping near Diva station affected services on the Central line. On Western line, a snag in the overhead wire at Mahim delayed services by 10-20 minutes.
The delayed services resulted in overcrowding at several busy stations.
Roads jammed
The heavy showers even impacted the movement of vehicles on both Eastern Express and Western Express Highways, affecting the travel plans of thousands of office-goers. The ongoing metro work at several places further worsened motorist’s woes.
Additionally, several arterial roads in the suburbs in Khar, Bandra, and Andheri witnessed waterlogging despite the extensive pre-monsoon work carried out by the BMC.
An incident of tree falling was also reported in South Mumbai. While the incident did not result in any casualties, it brought traffic to a halt for a few minutes.
Air traffic disrupted
All flight operations were suspended due to low visibility at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at around 10 pm.
A United Air Newark-Mumbai flight was reportedly diverted to Delhi, while another 11 incoming domestic and international services were also diverted to other airports.
A Thai Airways aircraft, while vacating the runway, hit a guard light and damaged a signage, and some debris were found on the runway. The debris was later cleared.
An official said that flight operations were resumed after around two hours for both incoming and outbound services.
More rains in store
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh forecast for the next 48 hours, during which more rains can be expected in parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
IMD has predicted cloudy conditions with the possibility of rain and thundershowers today, while light to moderate rain has been forecast for Wednesday.
After yesterday’s rainfall, Santacruz weather station recorded 30 mm rain between 9.30 pm and 11.30 pm, while Colaba recorded 22 mm during the same period.
Apart from the island city, the neighbouring Thane and Navi Mumbai also received moderate rain.
No, this is not a scene from a horror movie… This is my house. Right now! #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/SXobpzZL2L
— Hmmmer (@romit2310) June 10, 2019
Related: Heavy pre-monsoon showers likely in Mumbai from Tuesday, June 11
