Mumbai, June 24 (IANS) Heavy monsoon rains lashed Mumbai and its suburbs over the past several hours, inundating several parts of the city and disrupting normal life. While many areas recorded more than 300 mm of rainfall, civic authorities swung into action to tackle waterlogging and ensure the smooth functioning of essential services.

According to rainfall data recorded over the last 24 hours, Colaba received 248 mm of rain, while Santacruz recorded 225 mm. Among the worst-affected areas, Malvani received around 340 mm of rainfall, while parts of the Parel area recorded nearly 334 mm, highlighting the intensity of the downpour across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Against this backdrop, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) emergency response system is operating at full capacity, with more than 7,000 officers and staff deployed across various locations to manage the situation and respond to emergencies.

Although continuous rainfall led to water accumulation in several low-lying areas, the BMC activated its dewatering pumps, stormwater pumping stations and flood-control systems. As a result, accumulated water is being drained rapidly, helping maintain relatively smooth traffic movement on major roads despite the heavy rainfall.

The BMC’s Disaster Management Department is closely monitoring vulnerable locations, including low-lying areas, railway stations, major roads, bridges and coastal zones. Engineers, field staff and control room personnel from various departments are working round the clock to address complaints and emergencies reported by citizens.

Regular inspections of nullahs, stormwater drains and drainage networks are also being carried out. Additional manpower and machinery have been deployed wherever required to ensure prompt action. The Mumbai Fire Brigade, disaster management teams and other emergency agencies remain on standby to respond to incidents such as tree falls, short circuits, flooding and other rain-related emergencies.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide appealed to citizens to follow advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and immediately contact the BMC control room in case of emergencies. She said all municipal departments have been directed to remain on high alert in view of the forecast of continued heavy rainfall. The civic administration, she added, is implementing all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

The impact of the heavy rain was not limited to Mumbai alone. Several parts of Maharashtra, particularly the Vasai-Virar and Nalasopara regions, witnessed severe waterlogging that disrupted daily life and affected transportation.

In Nalasopara, continuous rainfall submerged several roads and low-lying areas. The road leading to Alliance Hospital was completely inundated, resembling a pond after hours of heavy showers. Commuters and residents faced significant difficulties as waterlogged roads hampered movement throughout the area.

Similarly, parts of Vasai-Virar witnessed widespread water accumulation following heavy rainfall that began on Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday. The first major spell of the monsoon exposed shortcomings in civic infrastructure, with roads in several locations turning into virtual ponds.

Several areas in Virar, including Chandansar, Tandul Bazar and the Viva College campus, reported flooding. Waterlogging was also witnessed in Tulinj, Central Park, Gala Nagar, Nagindas Pada, Vijay Nagar, Pelhar and the Tulinj Bridge area in Nalasopara.

In Naigaon, Star City and Pereira Nagar were affected, while in Vasai, the Parvati Talkies area, Bangli Road and Girij-Bhuigaon Road reported significant water accumulation.

The inundation of both major roads and internal lanes caused traffic disruptions and delays. Office-goers faced considerable challenges while travelling to work, while water entered several homes and commercial establishments in low-lying areas, resulting in financial losses and hardship for residents.

To address the situation, the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation deployed suction pumps at multiple locations to facilitate water drainage. Officials said the situation is being monitored continuously and that efforts are underway to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

The heavy rain also led to the collapse of nine trees of varying sizes across different parts of the city. Fortunately, no casualties or major injuries were reported in these incidents.

Notably, the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation had earlier claimed that more than 95 per cent of pre-monsoon drain-cleaning work had been completed. However, the extensive waterlogging witnessed during the first major spell of rain has raised questions about the effectiveness of those preparations. Residents alleged that inadequate drainage infrastructure and incomplete maintenance work contributed to the flooding, exposing gaps in the city’s monsoon preparedness.

Meanwhile, Mumbai also witnessed several rain-related incidents. In Dadar East, a large tree fell on a parked car following strong winds and heavy rainfall. Fire Brigade teams, BMC officials and other emergency personnel were immediately deployed for rescue and clearance operations.

As the monsoon intensifies across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Maha Mumbai Metro has also strengthened its preparedness measures. To ensure uninterrupted services and accommodate the growing number of passengers during adverse weather conditions, additional standby metro trains have been deployed across all metro corridors.

Officials said that extra services can be introduced at short notice whenever required. In addition to handling rush-hour crowds, metro authorities are prepared to increase services throughout the day depending on passenger demand and weather-related developments.

Maha Mumbai Metro reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe, reliable and uninterrupted public transportation throughout the monsoon season, ensuring that the city’s lifeline continues to function efficiently despite challenging weather conditions.

–IANS

jk/rad