Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Mumbai: Rescue teams from the Indian Navy have been deployed in Mumbai as city officials try to help those stranded by the torrential downpour brought about by very heavy rains.
Navy servicemen were seen dragging rubber dinghies through Mumbai’s flooded streets as they attempted to help those who had been caught in the torrential rain, which affects one of India’s largest metropolises around this time every year.
A spokesperson for the Indian Navy said: “Indian Navy deploys various teams to provide relief to rain hit and stranded Mumbaikars in Kurla area.
To minimise losses to life and property, Maharashtra State Government had previously declared a holiday today, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had asked people to stay indoors.
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“Due to heavy rain forecast in Mumbai even today by IMD (Indian Meteorological Department), People are advised to stay indoors unless there is any emergency.” said Fadnavis.
“The Government of Maharashtra has declared a public holiday in Mumbai today, for safety of Mumbai city and its citizens, in the wake of the very heavy rainfall forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department,” added Mumbai’s municipal corporation.
In addition, the city’s Commissioner of Police, Sanjay Barve, had said that Mumbai Police was on hand to help those who needed assistance.
In a statement on Twitter, Barve advised Mumbaikars to reach out to emergency services through the social media platform, saying: “Heavy to very heavy rains expected in Mumbai and MMR in the next three days as per intimation received from IMD. I request Mumbaikars to check weather updates and plan the day accordingly. Take care, stay safe and reach out to us at @MumbaiPolice for help.”
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The deluge has also caused delays to several flights that were expected to arrive at and take off from Mumbai airport. Many of these flights have been diverted to neighbouring Goa, while an alternative runway was being deployed at Mumbai’s airport after a flight skidded on the main runway.
Teams from Mumbai’s fire service were also called to rescue people who had been trapped under debris caused due to the rain.
A spokesperson from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) said, “The rescue operation is still going on at Malad and the fire brigade successfully found a lady and a child alive in the debris, with help of life sensing equipment &and sniffer dogs. We all pray and hope for the well-being of both woman and child.”
Waterlogging has caused the BMC to also send teams to pump out stagnant water from several places in Mumbai, including Vakola Junction, Netaji Palkar Chowk, Andheri, SV Road, Andheri Subway and Saki Naka.
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Commenting on further rains expected over western India, KS Hosalikar, the Deputy Director General of Meteorology at the Indian Meteorological Department said: “Clouds observed over north Maharashtra coast including Mumbai. More impact likely over south Gujarat and adjoining areas. Extremely heavy rainfall, more than 200 mm recorded at many places in city, more towards suburbs in last 24 hrs. Take care please.”
Commenting on further rains expected over western India, KS Hosalikar, the Deputy Director General of Meteorology at the Indian Meteorological Department said: “Clouds observed over north Maharashtra coast including Mumbai. More impact likely over south Gujarat and adjoining areas. Extremely heavy rainfall, more than 200 mm recorded at many places in city, more towards suburbs in last 24 hrs. Take care please.”
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Fire teams and the National Disaster Response Force were also sent to rescue people who had been crushed when a wall collapsed in Kurar village. 13 people unfortunately lost their lives and a further four were admitted to hospital.
“In an extremely unfortunate incident, 13 people died in the retaining wall collapse of a few hutments built on a hill slope in Kurar village. Fire Brigade and NDRF had rushed to the spot,” said the BMC. “Four people were rescued and have been admitted at the Shatabdi hospital. We pray for the departed souls and are watching over the injured admitted at the hospital.”
