Mumbai on High Alert for Heavy Rains; NDRF, Navy Alerted

The IMD has warned of very heavy rainfall in Mumbai from 9 to 11 June.

Heavy rains are expected to lash Mumbai on the 9-10 June weekend, and the BMC is taking no chances this time. Acting on the India Meteorological Department’s forecast that the city will receive very heavy rainfall from 9 to 11 June, the BMC has cancelled leaves of all its officials during this period.

BMC administration has directed all DMCs, Asst MCs (WO), and concerned HoDs to be available in their headquarters on 9 and 10 June, even though the holidays.

BMC official to The Quint

Heavy rain was reported on the morning of 7 June, and several residents took to social media to highlight water-logged streets.

The rains are here and so are the floods.. One of the major arterial roads of Mumbai S.V road waterlogged in half hour of rain. @RidlrMUM @MCGM_BMC pic.twitter.com/i3Y6zjAlyX

— Ashwin (@ashmal312) June 7, 2018

This is an appreciation tweet for the most hardworking department #BMC for the amazing preparation done by them pre monsoon. #SlowClaps
Check out their work in the pics below @SkymetWeather @IndianWeather_ @MumbaiPolice @MumbaiMirror @timesofindia @dna pic.twitter.com/Z5MW6uzMom

— Ali Asgar (@DakiyaDaakLaya) June 7, 2018

As per the forecast, there is a possibility of "very heavy" rainfall in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts on Thursday and Friday, 8 June, PTI reported.

There is also a possibility of very heavy rainfall in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts on Saturday, 9 June, while similar weather has been forecast for the six districts of Konkan region, including Mumbai and surrounding areas, on 10 and 11 June.

Meanwhile, three teams of the NDRF have been deployed at Parel, Mankhurd and Andheri with rescue equipment. Six flood rescue teams from the Mumbai fire brigade have also been positioned at six regional command centres. Fire brigade teams have been stationed, along with teams of the Disaster Response Force and the police, on six beaches across the city.

The navy has also been positioned in areas like Colaba, Worli, Trombay and Malad.

All low-lying areas across the city that are prone to flooding are being monitored by the civic body. De-watering pumps are also being monitored as the city is expecting high tide up to 9.92 metres on Friday and 4.91 metres on Saturday. These pumps were placed at different locations across Mumbai before the monsoon in a bid to reduce water-logging.

Officers from 24 wards of the BMC have been ordered to ensure that schools run by the civic body be converted into temporary shelters with caretakers.