Mumbai Gets 9 Times Usual Rain, Every Minute A Struggle

MUMBAI: Mumbai gasped in waist-deep water today, lashed by what weather officials believe could be the heaviest and longest rain since July 26, 2005, when the city was devastated by floods. Citizens have been advised to stay in "unless absolutely necessary" or go home early after the city received, in three hours, atleast nine times more rain than average.

"Typhoon-like weather" - as industrialist Anand Mahindra called it - left roads flooded, freezing road and train traffic and hitting flights at the Mumbai airport. "It isn't a panic situation but only step outside your house is absolutely necessary," said Aditya Thackeray, whose Shiv Sena party controls the city's civic body,

If the rain coincides with high tide at 4.30 pm, overloading an ageing drainage system, people could be in for worse floods. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force are on stand-by.

The Maharashtra government has ordered offices to allow employees to leave



early.

It rained incessantly since morning - along with strong winds - and by afternoon, most of Mumbai was submerged. People were advised to avoid beaches and promenades, which will impact the ritual immersion of Ganesha idols, an annual event.

"This is not a river, but a road," an NDTV correspondent said, standing in water at Lower Parel in central Mumbai. At Elphinstone, cars and bikes were only partially above water.

The sea link between western suburbs like Bandra and south Mumbai - a major bridge - is off limits for now for those heading to south Mumbai.

A woman forced to get off a taxi and walk said: "There are no cabs and I have to go to work." The Mumbai police tweeted urging people to dial 100 for help. Weathermen have cautioned people against scheduling meetings or flights in the next two days.  "Heavy to very heavy rain" has been predicted for at least the next 24 hours in Mumbai and its suburbs.