Thunderstorms, heavy rains predicted for five days in Mumbai

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the some parts of the state including Mumbai may get such rain squalls for the next four to five days. "From September 10 to 12, heavy rainfall at isolated places was very likely. A yellow alert indicating the same is already in place," the IMD said in its forecast.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also asked authorities in several districts of the state to be ready with rescue teams and relief mechanisms in view of the India Meteorological Department predicting rain squalls.

A statement from the chief minister's office (CMO) said officials in districts in the Konkan, western Maharashtra, north Maharashtra and Vidarbha have been directed to be on full alert for such weather activities.

First thunderstorms were witnessed in parts of Mumbai and adjoining areas such as Koparkhairane and Ghansoli yesterday.

In the las 24 hours, the rainfall recorded by the IMD Colaba and Santa Cruz observatories was 32.6 mm and 26.4 mm, respectively. This season the rainfall recorded by the IMD Colaba and Santacruz observatories has been 1,720 mm and 2,226mm, respectively.

Heavy rains in Mumbai had disrupted road traffic and suburban train services yesterday. The services on Central Railway (CR)'s Main Line was stopped due to water-logging on tracks, while four persons were injured in two wall collapse incidents and a boy was washed away in Thane city. Many low-lying areas in Kurla, Andheri, Malad, Borivali and Kandivali were also submerged, badly affecting road traffic.

(Inputs from PTI & IANS)