Maharashtra rains Highlights: IMD issues yellow alert for Mumbai, orange alert for eight other districts

BJP MLA from Maharashtra Siddharth Shirole says authorities initiated efforts to pump out the water and also restore power on an urgent basis from areas inundated with water during his visit to Shivajinagar constituency.

On Pune floods, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule said, "...The taxpayers are suffering due to the government's mismanagement...My demand is that they have to give a clear package, clean the area, and ensure food and water supply. People's documents have gone missing, children's books have gone missing, and the government has to pay for all this. The honest taxpayers of Pune have been completely cheated by the government."

Pune: Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil inspected flood affected areas of Balewadi, Someshwarwadi

Amid heavy rains, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reviewed the flood situation in Pune today. The Chief Minister directed the authorities to immediately report the damage caused to houses and agriculture due to floods.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the highest rainfall recorded from 8 AM on July 25, 2024, to 8 AM on July 26, 2024, is as follows:

• Nariyal Wadi Municipal School, Vakola: 142.2 mm
• Sewri Koliwada Municipal School, Sewri: 137.6 mm
• 'N' Ward Office, Ghatkopar: 133.34 mm
• Charkop Sector 1 Municipal School, Kandivali (West): 131.8 mm
• Magathane Bus Depot, Borivali: 129.2 mm
• Eksar Municipal School, Borivali: 128.2 mm
• Barve Nagar Municipal School, Ghatkopar (West): 125.2 mm
• BKC Fire Station: 124 mm
• Nadkarni Park Municipal School, Wadala (East): 119.4 mm
• SWD Workshop, Dadar: 119.34 mm
• Maravli Municipal School, Chembur: 118.6 mm
• NM Joshi Marg Municipal School, Lower Parel: 117 mm
• These measurements reflect significant rainfall across various parts of Mumbai, highlighting the intensity of the recent weather conditions.

Pooja Roudale, Director of Examination and Evaluation Board Mumbai University, said Mumbai University’s today scheduled exams for Raigad and Ratnagiri districts have been postponed and new dates will be announced soon. She said the decision has been taken to avoid any inconvenience to students amid heavy rains alert issued by IMD.

Mumbai's Powai Lake has reached full capacity following continuous heavy rains in the region over the past few days. The heavy downpour has significantly increased the water levels, causing the lake to overflow. The persistent rainfall has not only filled Powai Lake to the brim but has also led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions in various parts of the city. Powai Lake, a crucial water body for the city, serves as a scenic landmark and a source of water for various purposes. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nowcast warning at 7 AM today, predicting moderate spells of rain likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Ratnagiri, Mumbai, and the ghat areas of Pune and Satara during the next 3-4 hours.

As a precautionary measure, local authorities have declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Navi Mumbai, Panvel City, and Raigad district today due to the forecast of heavy rainfall. However, rainfall in these areas is currently normal. 

As the state of Maharashtra faces the effects of continuous rainfall, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took stock of the situation in the state on Thursday. The CM called the Raigad collector and told him to help all flood-affected people, and assured him of all the help. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a press release and said, "Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra during July 25-27 and in Konkan & Goa on 25 and 26 July and Gujarat region on 25th July."

Mumbai's relentless downpour led to the cancellation of 11 flights and the diversion of 10 others to nearby airports on Thursday. The Mumbai airport halted runway operations twice due to low visibility, causing significant disruptions. Meanwhile, residents in the affected areas have been advised to remain cautious and follow official instructions to ensure safety.

Due to the heavy rainfall in the state, the Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai until 8:30 am today. On the other hand, the situation in Pune has been gradually returning to normal since 7:00 PM yesterday. However, disaster management teams have been deployed in various parts of the city, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is also engaged in relief and rescue operations. It is important to note that a red alert has been issued today for the Ratnagiri and Raigad districts of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Palghar, Thane, and Sindhudurg.