Rains continue to harass commuters in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 1 (UNI) Persistent rains continued to add to the woes of the commuters in the metropolis for the second day today bringing back memories of the 26/7 deluge of last year.

The commuters preferred not to take chances and the Central Railway registered a 15 to 20 per cent decline in the number of passengers from normal days.

A CR spokesperson said the suburban trains, plying on its routes, were running 20 to 30 minutes behind schedule. Several long-distance trains have been rescheduled, while the trains, departing here in the morning, left almost four to five hours late. However, services on the Western Railway were running on schedule.

The BEST bus service, too, was affected in several parts of city with the buses getting stuck in traffic jams owing to water-logging.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), meanwhile, has forecast heavy to very heavy rains, along with thundershowers, during the next 24 hrs.

The IMD recorded 118 mm rainfall in Colaba, while in Santacruz the rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours, ended 0830 hrs today, was 180 mm.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Johny Joseph visited low lying areas and ward offices to take stock of the situation.

UNI ST-GVS MAZ SB BST1353