Heavy rains hit Mumbai

Heavy rains hit Mumbai city yesterday night as the much-awaited southwest monsoon hit Maharashtra. The three-hour rains flooded city streets triggering traffic jams and delaying the flight schedule. 

While the metropolis was experiencing light intermittent showers for the past 24 hours, heavy rains started around 8.30pm and continued for almost three hours. The Colaba observatory in Mumbai recorded 94 mm of rainfall while Santa Cruz observatory witnessed 70 mm rainfall yesterday night.

Confirming the arrival of the rains, K S Hosalikar, deputy director-general, western region, IMD, said the monsoon has arrived in Mumbai and up to Valsad, also covering parts of central Maharashtra and Marathwada.There were incidents of some trees being uprooted in the city in the eastern and western



suburbs. Waterlogging occurred on several roads across the city at Sion, Dadar and Matunga and the suburbs too. 

This resulted in heavy traffic jams for over two hours during the office returning hours inconveniencing people. A total of 16 flights have also been diverted. While 13 flights were diverted to Ahmedabad, one was routed to Delhi and two to Vadodara. Flights were also delayed by about an hour.

The IMD has forecast moderate rains in Mumbai city and suburbs in the next 24 hours and heavy rainfall at some places as well.

There were incidents of some 9-10 trees being uprooted in the city in the eastern and western suburbs. Waterlogging occurred on several roads across the city at Sion, Dadar and Matunga and the suburbs too.