. Mumbai Braces for Heavy Rainfall as IMD Issues Alerts; Death Toll Rises in Raigad Landslide

Mumbai, India: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of heavy rainfall in Mumbai and surrounding districts for the next two days. As continuous downpours have plagued the city for the past 2-3 days, Mumbaikars are facing numerous challenges such as traffic jams, waterlogged roads, and delayed local trains.

IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas of Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts for Sunday. Additionally, a red alert has been declared for Palghar district, indicating the potential for severe weather conditions.

The situation in Raigad district remains critical as the death toll from the Irshalwadi landslide has reached 26. Search and rescue teams have recovered four more bodies from the debris, including three women and one man. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is working tirelessly to locate any survivors and provide relief to the affected villagers.

In Mumbai, the weather department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in isolated places for tomorrow, which may exacerbate the existing waterlogging and transportation issues. However, there is some respite as the Andheri Subway, which was closed due to waterlogging, has been reopened for traffic after water levels subsided.

Meanwhile, there is a glimmer of hope for Mumbaikars as the water level in the city’s catchment area has improved, offering some relief from the water scarcity problem.

In the past 24 hours, Mumbai city received 82.99 mm of rainfall, with the Eastern Suburbs receiving 148.40 mm and the Western Suburbs receiving 122.30 mm of rain. The heavy downpours have not only disrupted daily life but also posed a threat to life and property.

Apart from Mumbai, other regions in Northern Maharashtra and South Gujarat are also expected to experience very heavy rains. Authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions and remain vigilant during this period of inclement weather.

In the midst of these challenging conditions, the Western Railway has provided some assurance by stating that there will be no delays in train services on Saturday for both the Mumbai Suburban and Harbour Line.

Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed emergency response teams to deal with any eventualities. They are also coordinating with various agencies to manage the traffic situation and minimize the impact of the heavy rainfall.

Mumbai, being a coastal city, is prone to heavy monsoon rains during the monsoon season. The authorities and citizens alike are urged to be prepared for any emergencies and follow safety guidelines to stay safe during this period of heightened rainfall.

As the IMD predicts further heavy rainfall, Mumbaikars are bracing themselves for the challenges that lie ahead.