Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) With incessant heavy rainfall disrupting normal life in Maharashtra, state Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan on Monday urged citizens to avoid monsoon tourism and unnecessary outings, warning that strict action could be taken against those ignoring official advisories.

“The state is experiencing an exceptionally high volume of rainfall. Roads and railway routes have been shut down, and the Pune-Mumbai transport corridor is closed. Schools have been ordered to remain closed. A Disaster Management meeting has been convened at the Mantralaya in Mumbai. I strictly advise citizens against stepping out for tourism or sightseeing in Mumbai. We will announce further decisions shortly,” said the Minister.

The Minister further highlighted the danger posed by severe weather conditions. “Wind speeds have reached 70 to 90 km/h, causing trees to uproot across Mumbai. Despite this, people are gathering in crowds outdoors — please do not do this,” he added.

A red alert has been issued for several areas for Monday and Tuesday, with warnings of heavy downpours and stormy conditions.

Addressing public safety at tourist spots, Minister Mahajan warned, “Some people went to waterfalls recently and unfortunately lost their lives. If citizens do not listen to warnings, we will have to strictly enforce restrictions. This is a natural disaster; please cooperate instead of indulging in politics. If there is water leakage somewhere, it shouldn’t immediately be turned into a political issue. Tragically, six people have lost their lives in Mankhurd. The opposition should avoid actions that cause panic among the public.”

He also noted that while continuous rain has increased water levels in reservoirs, the catchment areas have not yet received as much rain as required, though levels are expected to rise further in the coming days.

Traffic between Pune and Mumbai has been significantly hit, with Raigad, Palghar, Mumbai, and Pune districts bearing the brunt of the torrential downpours. Against this backdrop, Minister Mahajan urged citizens to remain vigilant and issued crucial safety guidelines.

Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has issued instructions specifically for Mumbai. In light of the current weather conditions, private offices have been urged to allow their employees to work from home (WFH) wherever possible.

Additionally, it has been clarified that government offices — excluding essential services — will operate only for half the day. The SDMA has strongly advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and adhere strictly to official updates and warnings.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reiterated these warnings, noting that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with wind speeds expected to touch 80 to 90 km/h.

–IANS

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