BMC chief appeals people not to venture out due to heavy rains

Mumbai, June 30 (UNI) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Jairaj Phatak today appealed citizens of Mumbai not to venture out of their homes till evening, except for emergency work as the rains have been lashing the city unabated.

Mr Phatak said due to high tide this afternoon, drainage system has been affected resulting in water logging in most parts of the city.

Schools and educational institutions were closed. The students who had gone to their schools were asked to return home.

The torrential rains threw rail and road traffic out of gear due to flooding on the tracks. Central line and Harbour line train were stopped early this morning. However, the CR line has been restored till Bhandup from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) this afternoon and trains are moving in a sluggish pace due to flooding of tracks at several places on this route, Railway official sources said.

However, train service on Harbour line remains suspended even now.

Western Railway sources said trains were running 20 to 25 minutes late.

Low-lying areas like Hindmata, Parel, Byculla, Chembur, Milan Sub-way, Andheri, Ghatkopar and other parts of city and suburbs faced water logging.

BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) undertaking buses are plying in some parts of the city and some others have been diverted due to water logging in certain areas.

The meteorological department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city and its suburbs till tomorrow morning. It has also warned fishermen not to venture into the seas till tomorrow.

Colaba received 146.8 mm rainfall while Santacruz recorded 174 mm rainfall for the last 24 hours till 0830 hrs today.

Fire Brigade has received several calls of tree uprooting and short circuit since last night. However, no untoward incident has been reported so far.

UNI