As heavy rains lash Mumbai, the government has announced the closure of all schools in the city on Thursday (20 July). The decision comes as continuous Mumbai rains have battered the commercial capital of India for the past two days, leading to major traffic snarls on the city’s roads and disruptions in local train operations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the early closure of government offices in Mumbai to allow employees to reach home on time, considering the disruption in Mumbai’s local train services due to heavy rains.
CM Shinde has also directed the commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to rescue people who are stranded in the rain. Addressing the media, he stated, “I have ordered the Commissioner of BMC to ensure people can safely return home and rescue those who are stuck in the rain.”
In response to the heavy Mumbai rainfall situation, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are on high alert. CM Shinde emphasized that all emergency agencies, including NDRFs, SDRFs, and Municipal corporations, are actively engaged in rescue operations and providing relief facilities to the public. He has been coordinating with Secretaries and District Magistrates to ensure people are shifted to safe places.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Red’ alert for Palghar and Raigad districts of Maharashtra, indicating extremely heavy rainfall, while an ‘Orange’ alert has been issued for Thane, Mumbai, and Ratnagiri. The IMD predicts enhanced rainfall activity over parts of Konkan and adjoining Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra for the next 4-5 days, with heavy to very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy falls expected in these regions. Additionally, an increase in rainfall activity is anticipated over parts of Marathwada, with the possibility of heavy rainfall at isolated places.
The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents during the ongoing heavy rains in Mumbai and surrounding regions.
