In the past few days, Mumbai and its neighboring districts have been severely impacted by unprecedented monsoon rains, resulting in 13 fatalities and widespread disruptions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad, forecasting continued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 to 48 hours.
**Fatalities and Incidents**
The heavy rains have led to multiple tragic incidents. In Mumbai's Mankhurd area, a chawl collapsed on Sunday night, claiming at least six lives. Additionally, two individuals died due to tree collapses in the city over the past two days. On June 30, an 11-year-old boy was killed when a tree uprooted and fell onto a moving school bus.
In Pune's Maval tehsil, a landslide buried a residential property in Patan village, resulting in one death and leaving two family members missing. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing individuals.
**Infrastructure Disruptions**
The relentless downpours have caused significant disruptions across the region. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai reported the cancellation of 17 flights and delays to over 200 others due to the severe weather conditions.
Western Railway services have also been severely affected, with over 40 train services disrupted and more than 20 long-distance trains stranded across Maharashtra and south Gujarat. Floodwaters have submerged key sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor, leading to the cancellation, rescheduling, and diversion of numerous trains.
**Government Response**
In response to the escalating situation, the Maharashtra government has declared a half-day for non-essential government and semi-government offices. The State Disaster Management Authority has advised private offices in Mumbai to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that the government's disaster management machinery is on high alert, reviewing the situation across Maharashtra, and addressing any shortcomings immediately.
**Weather Forecast**
The IMD has warned of a moderate to high flash-flood risk over the next 24 hours across Mumbai city and its suburbs, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri. Residents are advised to stay updated with weather alerts and exercise caution during this period.
As the situation continues to evolve, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, adhere to safety guidelines, and cooperate with rescue and relief operations to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented monsoon deluge.