As heavy rain battered Mumbai on Tuesday, bringing the city to its knees, the Indian Navy said it has kept Naval helicopters on standby to meet any eventuality. Besides helicopters, flood rescue teams and divers are also ready for deployment, the Navy said.
“Five flood rescue teams and two diving teams are ready two render assistance at different locations across Mumbai,” Indian Navy’s official Twitter account posted.
"Seaking 42 C ready for day/night Search and Rescue. Medical teams and Divers ready for immediate deployment," it said in another tweet.
Incessant rain accompanied by strong winds disrupted rail, road and air services, uprooted trees, swamped homes, and brought the megapolis and satellite towns to standstill.
Thousands of vehicles were stranded on arterial roads in Lower Parel, Dadar, Kurla, Andheri, Khar West, Ghatkopar, Sion and Hindmata areas that were under knee to waist deep water for several hours, many having broken down.
People's woes were compounded by the high tide that prevented natural drainage of water into the sea. Meteorological department sources said Mumbai recorded copious rain of 65 mm in just three hours. The IMD has warned of heavy showers tomorrow as well.
