Mumbai schools shut, local trains delayed as heavy rain floods roads

Mumbai witnessed severe inundation in low-lying areas, delayed local train services and traffic jams at various places on Tuesday morning as there was no respite from heavy rain in the metropolis and neighbouring areas.

Schools and colleges were shut in Mumbai in view of the relentless rains and the 'red alert' warning issued by the IMD, which forecast extremely heavy showers at isolated places here and neighbouring cities on Tuesday, NDTV reported.

The Directorate of Higher Education has declared a holiday for all senior colleges in the Konkan region of Maharashtra in the wake of the heavy rainfall.

The order applies to colleges in Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts.

A day after heavy showers battered Mumbai, its residents again faced the rain fury on Tuesday as various roads were submerged and traffic movement was disrupted since early morning.

Local train services were delayed, and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking's bus services were diverted at a few locations due to submerged roads, as per officials.

Several parts of the city, including Borivali, Andheri, Sion, Dadar and Chembur, witnessed intense downpour through the night, and the rain continued in the morning as well, resulting in waterlogging in low-lying areas, including Gandhi Market.

As per civic officials, the island city recorded more rain compared to the suburbs between 5 am and 6 am on Tuesday.

Mumbai Central, Parel, Grant Road, Malabar Hill, Dadar, Worli and some other areas recorded 40 mm to 65 mm rainfall in just one hour, leading to waterlogging at many places.

Between 8am on Monday and 6am Tuesday, the island city, eastern and western suburbs received an average rainfall of 128.86 mm, 154.37 mm and 185.74 mm, respectively, a civic official said.

Vikhroli suburb in Mumbai is recording the highest rainfall at 194.5 mm in 21 hours from 8:30am on Monday till 5:30am on Tuesday, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

Santacruz recorded 185 mm rain, followed by Juhu 173.5 mm, Byculla 167 mm and Bandra 157 mm during the period, the IMD said.

Colaba and Mahalaxmi areas reported comparatively lower rainfall at 79.8 mm and 71.9 mm, respectively, it added.