Cyclone Nisarga': Rains lash Mumbai; Police restricts movement of people near beaches

Mumbai, June 02: Ahead of the expected landfall of cyclone 'Nisarga' in Alibaug in Maharashtra's Raigad district, Mumbai and its metropolitan areas received rainfall since Monday evening, which intensified later in the night.

"Met updates at 10.30 pm, 2 Jun. Mumbai and around rainfall since evening. Now its picked up intensity," India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Mumbai deputy director general of meteorology K S Hosalikar tweeted.

The IMD has predicted moderate rainfall in most parts of the metropolis and heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places over the next 24 hours.

In view of the threat posed by impending cyclonic storm Nisarga', movement of people along the Mumbai coastline has been prohibited from midnight to Thursday afternoon, the city police said on Tuesday.

An order under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was being issued, the police said. As per the India Meteorological Department's warning, the city was expected to be severely impacted by the cyclone and there was a "grave danger to human life, health and safety", a statement by city police said.

"With this order Mumbai police has prohibited any presence or movement of one or more persons in public places along the beaches, promenades, parks and other such places near the coastline where people may gather," it said.

Those violating the order can face action under IPC section 188 (defying an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant), it added.

The cyclonic storm is expected to hit Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts on Wednesday afternoon, as per the IMD.