IMD issues red alert in Mumbai, Thane amid heavy downpour; Ram Mandir area records 206.5 mm rainfall
Mumbai, July 4
The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning at 7 pm on Saturday for Mumbai and Thane in Maharashtra amid heavy rainfall and waterlogging in the region.
As of 5:30 pm, Ram Mandir in Mumbai recorded 206.5 mm of rainfall, followed by 188 mm in Vikhroli, 164.1 mm in Santacruz, 126 mm in Vidyavihar, 112 mm in Bandra and 100 mm of rainfall in Sion. Byculla and Colaba recorded a rainfall of 70.5 mm and 70.2 mm, respectively.
Andheri Subway, Senapati Bapat Marg in Matunga and NM Joshi Marg, along with parts of Thane, witnessed waterlogging amid heavy rainfall.
Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel urged Mumbaikars not to use the Andheri Subway. He said that the Maharashtra government will find a permanent solution to waterlogging in the subway.
Patel told ANI, "I have been raising the issue of the Andheri subway in the House for the last three sessions. We have received two or three options through IIT. Work on the Andheri subway will commence after the rains, once the tender is issued. I want to tell all Mumbaikars and residents of Andheri, given the intensified rainfall over the last three days, that I earnestly request you not to use the Andheri subway."
"Since the Gokhale Bridge serves as an alternative route, please use that for the next three days. Work on the Andheri subway will begin after the rains subside, with the tender scheduled for next month. The Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra government are fully committed to finding a permanent solution for the Andheri subway as quickly as possible," the MLA added.
The State Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan has urged citizens not to step out of house if not urgent. He said that the rescue teams have been deployed to aid the public affected by heavy rains, and the traffic is being cleared off the roads.
The minister said, "More than 200mm rain has occurred in 12 hours, which is very heavy rain - I mean, for Mumbai, it is very heavy rain. I would request all tourists, people who are going out for sightseeing. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed. Our teams are stationed near manholes. Traffic is being cleared. People are going out, sitting near the high tide. Most accidents happen because of selfies. Places with tourism witness high casualties. Only step out of the house if there is urgent work."
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, as per a statement by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, also urged citizens loitering along the seafront in the Worli area--ignoring the instructions and warnings issued by the Corporation administration and the police administration- to leave the area, as they were spotted wandering by the seaside and sitting on parapets here and there.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Ram Mandir getting 206.5 mm in just a few hours - that's insane! 😮 I was stuck in Vikhroli traffic today and it took me 2 hours to move 3 km. The BMC should deploy more pumps and clear drains before monsoon starts, not during it. And that MLA's comment about "earnestly requesting" not to use Andheri subway - bro, we need tangible solutions, not just requests!
Finally, sensible advice from the Disaster Management Minister about not venturing out unnecessarily and avoiding selfies near the sea. But will people listen? Mumbaikars have this strange love for monsoon selfies on the Worli seaface. Mayor Ritu Tawde had to literally plead with people to leave. Stay safe, folks - no photo is worth risking your life. 🌊📸❌
Respect to the NDRF and SDRF teams who are out there in this weather, stationed near manholes in the rain. 🙏 Meanwhile, our politicians are just giving statements. Why can't we have better drainage infrastructure in a city that faces this every single year? Andheri subway is a perennial problem - I remember it flooding even when I was in college. Permanent solution abhi chahiye, not "after tender is issued next month."
Red alert and still people are out sightseeing! 😤 Minister Mahajan is right - "most accidents happen because of selfies." Common sense should tell you not to sit on parapets during high tide and heavy rain. Also, good that Gokhale Bridge is suggested as alternative for Andheri subway - but only if that bridge is safe and not congested during rains. Let's hope the IIT solutions work this time.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.