Mumbai, July 31
Life in Mumbai was thrown out of gear yet again after heavy rain from Saturday night flooded roads and hit transport services. After being caught napping by last week’s deluge, the authorities geared up somewhat and advised people to stay indoors and avoid certain flood-prone areas.
The state government announced that schools in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad would remain closed for the next two days. “Several low-lying areas of the metropolis are already waterlogged. People are advised not to venture out unless it is very important,” Police Commissioner A.N. Roy said. The roads closed for traffic include Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg in Central Mumbai, Kings Circle in Dadar, Parel TT, the Milan, Khar and Dahisar subways in the suburbs.
Train services came to standstill in the morning as rainwater did cover the tracks in many places of Mumbai. However, as the water drained out through the evening, train services were restored.
The Meteorological Department has warned of continuing downpour for the next 48 hours.
Some areas on the outskirts of Mumbai are still reeling from last week’s impact. In the Kalyan-Dombivli township outside the city, residents are making do without civic water and power supply as pipelines and power transmission stations were damaged in the rains. Some of the areas are cut off as railway tracks here were washed away.
The death toll in Maharashtra has crossed 900 while 418 people have died in Mumbai and its environs. So far several hundred people are listed missing.
The state government, which came in for criticism for handling last week’s rains, today rushed naval divers and boats to rescue people marooned after the rains. Waterlogging has been reported in Parel, Dadar TT, King’s Circle, Matunga, Chembur, Wadala, Kurla, Dharavi, Saki Naka, parts of Vile Parle, Santa Cruz, Khar, Bandra. Mahim and Worli Naka.
Air links between Mumbai and other places were suspended for nearly six hours today. Flights were resumed only by afternoon when the monsoon fury subsided.
Meanwhile, townships outside Mumbai suffered worse casualties as floodwaters entered the towns of Mahad, Nagothane, Roha and surrounding areas. In Raigad, 150 km from here, more than 200
persons are listed missing and more bodies are being recovered, the state police said.
Officials of Reliance Energy Ltd came in for flak after the company was unable to restore power in parts of the city even after six days. Company officials said power equipment has been badly damaged and floodwaters haven’t receded in some parts.
