Nine killed in rain-related incidents

Mumbai, Jun 9 (UNI) At least nine people, including four women, have died in the heavy rain lashing the metropolis and the adjoining areas for the fourth consecutive day today, leading to traffic bottle-necks in several areas of the city and suburbs.

Three women were killed when their bus skidded due to the rains near the Godrej company at Vikhroli, off the Eastern express highway, early this morning, police said.

At least 27 people were returning home from Shirdi in a private bus when the accident occurred at around 0451 hrs. The deceased were identified as Deepali Gurav (26), Usha Shankar Gurav (55) and Manali Padgaonkar (34).

Rajana Patil (37) was electrocuted at Malvani at Malad here. In another mishap, famous Marathi film and TV actor Vihang Nayak and his driver were killed when their car skidded in the rain and dashed against the road divider at village Shivkar in Panvel in adjoining Navi Mumbai. He was returning to Mumbai from Pune when the incident occurred.

In other incidents, one person was killed at MIDC Andheri, while another died near J J Flyover bridge and the third was killed at Dadar due to wall collapse since Friday last, according to disaster management team of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The suburban trains of Central Railway were running late by about 25-30 minutes, while the trains on Western Railway were running normally, sources said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong gusty winds, in parts of the city and suburbs.

During the last 24 hours ended 0830 hrs today, the Department had recorded 92.2 mm rainfall at Colaba and 85.8 mm at Santacruz in North West Mumbai. During the present season, Colaba has recorded 207.6 mm and Santacruz 274.3 mm of rainfall.

Meanwhile, the standing committee of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation today decided to do night patrolling all over the city, particularly in the areas that are affected by heavy rains and flooding.

UNI ST SSS OBB PDT BD2004