Monsoon arrives in Mumbai, heavy rains lash city

Mumbai, Jun 7 (UNI) The southwest monsoon arrived in the metropolis today and heralding its arrival, heavy rains lashed the city, throwing the public transport system into disarray.

Trains on the harbour line were running as much as 45 minutes late as they were running only on one track. Similarly, trains on the western and the central line were also delayed.

Incidents of water logging have also been reported from some areas of the city.

The weather bureau has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in the city and the suburbs over the next 24 hours.

The met office has also cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea for the next 24 hours as the monsoon will be active and there would be high waves.

There can be strong active winds along with rains in the city and the suburbs and rainfall may range between 7 cm to 24 cm over the next 24 hours, meteorological office sources said.

Since June 1, Colaba weather station here has recorded 94.2 mm rains while the Santacruz station has recorded 209.7 mm rains.

Meanwhile, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Tree Authority has reported three tree uprooting incidents in the city due to strong winds and rains.

Light to medium rains were also reported from other parts of the state including Vidarbha region, Kolhapur and Nashik.

A report from Nagpur said pre-monsoon showers lashed several parts of Vidarbha overnight.

Nagpur recorded 1.7 mm of rainfall during the 24 hours that ended at 0830 hours today, the local met office said. Similarly, Amravati recorded 12.0 mm, Gondia 3.0, Washim 37.0, Wardha 34.4 and Yavatmal 7.8 mm of rains during the same period. Nagpur recorded 0.9 mm of rains during the 12 hours ending 1730 hrs today.

Lightning has claimed six lives in the region this season so far. These include four in Buldhana district, and one each in Amravati and Bhandara districts.

The Western Maharashtra district of Kolhapur also experienced intermittent light rains today. A cloudy atmosphere has been prevailing here since yesterday.

The northern Maharashtra district of Nashik also received 5mm o rains over the last 24 hrs while Nashik city experienced 0.2mm of rains today.

District administration sources said Igatpuri taluka in the district received 5mm rains over the last 24 hrs. Since June 1, Nashik district has received 83mm rains.

UNI-TEAM MAZ PDT RAI2034