Mumbai, the bustling financial capital of India, braces for a deluge as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues a red alert for heavy rainfall. On Wednesday, the IMD updated Maharashtra rains status, escalating alerts for various regions. While Mumbai and Thane are under an orange alert, neighboring Palghar district faces a more severe red alert.
The IMD’s latest bulletin forewarns that Mumbai and Thane could experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, while Palghar is expected to face extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. Similar alerts have been issued for Raigad, Pune, and Satara districts.
According to the IMD, “Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely in Palghar.” This alarming forecast comes on the heels of a previous prediction of moderate to heavy rains in Mumbai on July 24.
Mumbai has already been grappling with persistent rains over the past week. On Tuesday, the city woke up to overcast skies and light showers, with intermittent heavy downpours causing significant disruption. The IMD had earlier noted the likelihood of gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph.
On Monday, relentless rainfall led to severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, bringing local train services to a standstill during peak morning hours. Some regions received up to 34 mm of rain in just one hour. In anticipation of further emergencies, three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed.
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The red alert for Palghar and the heavy rainfall warnings for other districts have raised concerns about potential flooding and landslides. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed officials to remain on high alert, stressing the importance of surveying accident-prone areas, implementing flood control measures, and managing traffic to ensure public safety.
The IMD’s forecasts and alerts come as a stern warning to residents and authorities to brace for potential challenges. With maximum and minimum temperatures hovering around 28°C and 24°C respectively, the city is on high alert for the looming threat of torrential rains and subsequent flooding.
As Mumbai readies itself to weather the storm, the preparedness of the city’s infrastructure and the responsiveness of emergency services will be crucial in mitigating the impact of the heavy rainfall.