Thu Sep 26 15:54:23 UTC 2024: ## Mumbai Batters Down the Hatches as Heavy Rains Trigger Red Alert

**Mumbai, September 26, 2023:** The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, urging residents to brace for heavy rainfall until 8:30 AM on September 26. The relentless downpour has forced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to declare a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai and its suburbs.

Torrential rains lashed Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Wednesday, causing widespread disruptions. Local train services were delayed, flights diverted, and several areas faced severe waterlogging, leading to significant traffic congestion. The IMD also issued an orange alert for Mumbai on Thursday, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.

In response to the heavy rain forecast, officials in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Palghar have announced the closure of schools and colleges on Thursday. Similar alerts have been issued for Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat, Konkan, and Goa, with heavy rainfall expected to continue until Friday.

**Landslides and Waterlogging:** A landslide at the Mumbra bypass on Wednesday night caused a three-hour traffic jam, but thankfully, no casualties were reported. Several areas in the city, including Kurla East, Nehru Nagar, and Chembur, experienced severe waterlogging, adding to the traffic chaos.

**Tragic Drowning:** Sadly, a 45-year-old woman, Vimal Gaikwad, drowned in an open drain in Andheri due to the heavy rains. She was rescued by the Mumbai fire brigade and taken to Cooper Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.

**Flight Delays:** The heavy rainfall also led to the diversion of 14 incoming flights to Mumbai Airport, including nine IndiGo flights, two from Vistara, and one each from Air India, Akasa, and Gulf Air.

**BMC Urges Caution:** The BMC has urged citizens to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and to take all precautions against the heavy rainfall.

**Impact on Local Train Services:** Central Railway confirmed that local train services on the Harbour line resumed after water levels receded, but trains were operating at reduced speeds. Services on the main line also resumed after water cleared from the tracks.

With heavy rainfall expected to continue, authorities in Mumbai and surrounding regions are on high alert, working to mitigate the impact of the downpour and ensure the safety of residents.

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