Unseasonal heavy rainfall lashed Mumbai on Monday, disrupting normal life and triggering multiple incidents of structural damage and traffic congestion. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Maharashtra, even before the official onset of the monsoon.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city witnessed 79 rain-related incidents in the past 24 hours. These included 45 cases of tree falls, nine instances of partial wall or building collapses, and 25 fire incidents linked to short circuits.
One of the serious incidents was reported near St. Xavier’s College in South Mumbai’s Fort area, where a 24-year-old man was injured due to a fallen tree. He was admitted to St. George Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
In another incident, part of a ground-plus-two-storey residential structure collapsed on Cadell Road in Mahim West. Two persons were trapped under the debris but were successfully rescued without major injuries.
Civic officials said several roads were blocked by uprooted trees, causing traffic snarls and damaging parked vehicles. The BMC has urged citizens to avoid flood-prone and structurally vulnerable areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
The BMC’s weather bulletin, issued at 8 a.m. Tuesday, forecasts a generally cloudy sky with moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds at isolated locations in Mumbai and its suburbs.
Rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours was 106 mm in the city, 63 mm in eastern suburbs, and 72 mm in western suburbs. Tidal activity is expected to intensify, with high tides of 4.88 metres at 12.13 p.m. and 4.18 metres at 11.56 p.m.
The IMD has issued a Red Alert for Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, and Satara districts, indicating the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall. An Orange Alert is in effect for Raigad, Pune, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani, where heavy to very heavy rain is forecast.
Mumbai, along with Thane, Nashik, Jalgaon, Sangli, Jalna, and other districts, remains under a Yellow Alert, warning of moderate to heavy showers.
Disaster response teams have been put on standby as authorities continue to monitor the evolving weather situation. Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and follow safety advisories.
-IANS