(Image source from: Twitter.com/ANI)
Downpours have struck Mumbai and its surrounding regions in the past day, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. Some parts of the city have experienced over 300 millimeters of rainfall in just six hours, from 1 am to 7 am on Monday. As a result, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and the Konkan belt. The areas of Vikhroli's Veer Savarkar Marg Municipal School and MCMCR Powai recorded the highest rainfall, exceeding 315 millimeters in the last 24 hours. The heavy rains have also led to the cancellation of over 50 flights, prompting airlines to use social media to warn passengers and advise them to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Visuals from across the city show people navigating through waist-deep waters and traffic jams on Mumbai's roads. In response, all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges in the city have been closed for the day. At Dombivli station, people were seen waiting for trains on submerged tracks, while waterlogging was reported in various areas, including Worli, Buntara Bhavan, Kurla East, King's Circle, Dadar, and Vidyavihar Railway Station.
#WATCH | Severely waterlogged streets and railway track in Chunabhatti area of Mumbai, as the city is marred by heavy rains pic.twitter.com/qdxk6yi8Hb
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024
Heavy rainfall has disrupted train services in the Thane district, causing a suspension of operations between Kasara and Titwala stations. The tracks between Atgaon and Thansit stations were covered in soil, deemed unsafe for rail traffic on the busy Kalyan-Kasara route. Officials have stated that the waterlogging will subside if the rain stops for over two hours, but the weather forecast predicts heavy rain throughout the day. The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai. High tide is expected to bring waves up to 4.4 meters around 2 pm, leading to the diversion, rescheduling, or termination of several trains between Kalyan and Kasara stations due to waterlogging. The track embankment on the Vasind-Khardi section was damaged due to heavy rainfall and flash floods between 3 am and 6 am. In response, the National Disaster Response Force has deployed teams in various affected areas, including Thane, Vasai, Mahad, Chiplun, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Ghatkopar, Kurla, and Sindhudurg, and has already rescued 49 people from a water-logged resort in Thane and 16 villagers in Palghar.
#WATCH | Commuters wade through waterlogged streets at King's Circle in rain-hit Mumbai pic.twitter.com/BKdj5BFvwJ
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2024
Excessive rainfall can swiftly cause water levels to rise, leading to widespread inundation of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. This influx of water can pose significant risks, potentially causing severe damage and disrupting the normal functioning of a community. Residents may be forced to evacuate, while essential services and transportation routes can become inaccessible. The cleanup and recovery process can be both lengthy and expensive, as the floodwaters recede and the task of repairing or rebuilding affected structures begins. Proactive measures, such as investing in effective flood mitigation strategies and emergency preparedness, can help communities become more resilient in the face of these unpredictable and potentially devastating natural events.
