Incessant rains lash city and its suburbs for fifth day.

Mumbai, July 5 (UNI) Incessant rains accompanied by strong winds continued to lash the city and its suburbs without any respite for the fifth consecutive day today.

Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) cut power supply at 15 places in South Central Mumbai fearing casualties related to short circuit accidents, which is likely to be restored later in the day, official sources said.

According to Weather Bureau, heavy to very heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are expected to hit the city and its suburbs in the next 24 hours or so.

Rainfall recorded in Colaba and Santacruz in the past 24 hours showed 213.3 mm and 231.0 mm respectively.

Early morning showers have once again brought flash floods in several parts of the city and its suburbs.Low lying areas were the worst hit with houses located in slums bearing the maximum brunt of loss of money and property. Rains continued unabated in the suburbs of Jogeshwari, Malad, Andheri, Santacruz and Bandra.

With rains showing no signs of stopping, the civic administration and other emergency services of the state government has been put on a high alert for the next 24 hours or so.

City Commissioner of Police, A N Roy, has appealed residents of the Island city to avoid travel unless necessary. The state government has declared a holiday in schools. However the state government announced no holidays for government offices particularly staff of state secretariat, civic administration and hospitals.

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