As Monsoon Disrupts Civilian Life in Mumbai, Citizens Recall 2005

Severla Mumbaikars took to social media to revive memories of the 26 July, 2005 floods.

File image of vehicles moving slowly through a waterlogged street following heavy monsoon rain in Mumbai in July, 2019.

(Photo: PTI)

The city of Mumbai was lashed by heavy rains on Friday, 26 July, that caused massive disruption to civilian life.

17 flights were diverted to nearby airports and four flights had to do ‘go-around' before they could land, a spokesperson of the Mumbai airport told PTI. Apart from that, the traffic across Mumbai was disrupted, even railway tracks were submerge into water due to the heavy downpour.

According to the Indian Meteorological department, intense spells of rain are likely to continue in the districts of Thane, Raigad and Mumbai for a few hours.

Railway tracks submerge at Badlapur railway station on the Central line of Mumbai Suburban Railway network.(Photo: ANI)

Orange Alert by IMD, Mumbai Police Advises Caution

Meanwhile, sounding an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra, the IMD also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai in the next 24 hours.

An orange alert signifies that the 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.”

IMD Official

“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,” the official added.

At 8:00 pm, the IMD predicted severe thunderstorm accompanied with lightning in Thane, Raigad and Mumbai

“Severe thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and strong surface winds exceeding 50-60 kmph to occur in Thane, Raigad and Mumbai during next 4 hours,” the IMD said in a statement.

IMD Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar tweeted, “Rainfall in last 24 hrs at morning 6.30 am today in Mumbai and around: few stations reported heavy rainfall in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Rest it was moderate as expected. Today watch for more rains please.”

“Today's rainfall forecast for 24 hours. Heavy rainfall over konkan region including Mumbai. Moderate rainfall upto 40 mm in Vidarbha and some parts of Marathwada, South Madhya Mah,” he said in another tweet.

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.

“Weather forecast by IMD at 08:00 hours - intermittent rain/showers with heavy falls in city and suburbs during night/early morning,” the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a tweet.

“According to IMD forecast heavy rainfall with severe thunderstorm, accompanied with lightening, expected all through the night. We request citizens to avoid venturing around the sea and avoid parking vehicles under a tree. Call 1916 for in any emergency," BMC tweeted.

The Mumbai Police too requested citizens not to venture in waterlogged areas.

“City is expecting intermittent heavy showers all through the night. We request commuters to not venture in water logged areas and also request you all to maintain distance from the sea. Please tweet to us or call on 100 in any emergency/need of help,” a statement by the Mumbai Police said.

“26 July Living Upto its Name: Flashback for Mumbaikars

Several Mumbaikars took to social media to revive memories of the 26 July, 2005 floods.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)