Mumbai rains: BMC issues alert

Mumbai, August 29, 2011(Tehelkanews)

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday issued a high tide alert after heavy rains lashed the city for the third consecutive day disrupting train services on the Central and Harbour line, throwing normal life out of gear.

According to Met Department, Colaba recorded 178.6 mm of rainfall and Santacruz received 232. 6 mm of rainfall since 8.30 am on Sunday leading to water-logging in several areas.

Following this, the civic body issued a high tide alert. "A tide measuring 4.63 metre will hit the coast around 12.15 p.m.. Any tide above 4.50 metre is a high tide," a civic official said.The weather bureau forecasts intermittent rains in parts of city and suburbs besides heavy to very heavy rains accompanied by strong gusty winds will occur in some areas.

Following incessant rains, the water levels at Mithi river have rose to 4.2 mtr. "Several hutments near the Mithi river have been evacuated," civic officials said.Also, 33 people from a resort in Palghar were evacuated by the Mumbai Fire Brigade.The BMC has also closed all its civic-run schools in the city today due to heavy downpour.Trains services on Central and Harbour line were closed temporarily following water logging on railway tracks.

"Train services on Central Railway and Harbour line are closed for sometime. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Once the water recedes on tracks, we will start the services," Central Railway PRO A.K. Singh said.

However, train services on the Western line are running late by only 5-10 minutes.

Water logging has been reported from areas like Hindmata, Milan subway, Vileparle, Dadar, Andheri, Kurla, Santacruz, Vikhroli, Chembur, Sion, Parel and others inconveniencing daily commuters.Rains also affected the air traffic. "Visibility is normal but flights are delayed by 10 minutes. Due to Kochi airport closure two arrivals and four departures of that sector have been cancelled," a MIAL spokesperson said.So far, no incidents of house and tree collapse have been reported, officials said


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