Heavy rains disrupt life in Mumbai

{image-mumbai rain_01072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Mumbai, Jul 1: Mumbai received heavy rainfall on Tuesday, July 1, after a week of light showers and is expected to receive more rains in the future. Heavy rains have caused problems for the city's commuters, disrupting normal life with rail, road and air services getting badly affected. According to the Regional Meteorological Department, Colaba in South Mumbai recorded a heavy rainfall of 200 mm while Santacruz (suburbs) recorded 142.9 mm.

Water logging upto one and a half feet was reported in Bandra, Sion, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Andheri and several low lying areas. Besides, landslides in the Mumbai-Pune expressway disrupted the vehicular traffic.

Rail services were badly affected - delays were reported on all major railway lines with the Central Railway services coming to a complete halt due to water logging between Kurla and Vidyavihar suburbs. However, trains on the Western and Harbour lines were running late by 45 minutes, according to sources.

Traffic snarls were also reported across various junctions in the city with several low lying areas inundated by water, police said. Commuters expressed frustration and problems reaching train stations what with water-logged inner roads.

Flights from the international airports were delayed by an hour and a half, according to the Mumbai International Airport Website.

This is the second spell that the city has received this season. Last year too, the city and its suburbs got paralysed due to incessant rains.

The Metereological department has forecast more heavy showers over the next few days.

BMC Commissioner Jairaj M Phatak however, said the waterlogging had occurred in "the usual places", would get worse at 11 am during high tide and recede by aorund 12 noon.

OneIndia News