The airport was operational but flight operations at the city airport were delayed by up to 45 minutes and three services had to be diverted due to incessant rain that has been lashing the financial capital since late last evening.
There was also massive disruption of vehicular traffic with waist-high waterlogging being reported in several ares. The rainwater also entered several homes.
Mehta said today's high tide witnessed in the city was of more than 3 metres high and Mumbai is likely to witness high tides of more than 4 metrEs, one at about 2 AM and another at about 3:10 PM tomorrow.
“Since there is heavy rainfall along with a high tide expected tomorrow, people should stay away from the seas and ensure that they do not walk on the promenade. Also, before leaving their homes, people should make sure that the route they plan to take is safe for travel,” he said.
The rains caused water-logging in almost all low-lying areas of Mumbai and its suburbs including Kurla, Chembur, Tilak Nagar, Andheri, Parel, Lower Parel, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Dombivili.
The heavy rains also forced Shiv Sena to cancel its foundation day event.While Central Railway services still remain cancelled, the Western Railway has partially resumed services on a limited stretch between Andheri and Virar.
Thousands of commuters leaving for offices were caught unaware on reaching the suburban railway stations as trains were being cancelled due to water-logging of tracks following heavy downpour since last night.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to people to venture out only if required and asked them to stay away from seafronts during high tide slots as it can prove “fatal”.
After taking stock of the situation at BMC disaster management cell, he also suggested to the public to refer to advisories being issued by the civic body on an hourly-basis before leaving home.
Narrating his ordeal, Nalasopara resident Atul Panday, an executive working with Alkem Laboratories said, “Normally, it takes me 50 minutes to reach Andheri from Nalasopara, but today it took around two hours.”
