Death toll in Mumbai rain fury climbs to 30

Mumbai, July 18: At least 30 people died and five others were injured in rain-related incidents as incessant heavy downpour overnight during a major thunderstorm pummeled Mumbai, causing severe water-logging and traffic disruptions in the financial capital on Sunday

The Western Railway and Central Railway briefly suspended suburban train services in Mumbai after the heavy rains, and many long distance trains were terminated or regulated at various stations, officials said.

Seventeen people died as a compound wall came crashing down on some houses located on a hillock after a landslide, a fire official said. The retaining wall of the Bharatnagar locality in Mumbai''s Mahul area collapsed at 1 am, the official said.

Seven people were injured and taken to nearby Rajawadi hospital, he added. Seven hutment dwellers died as six shanties collapsed after a landslide following incessant overnight rains in Mumbai''s Vikhroli suburb at 2.30 am, a civic official said. Two persons were injured and were sent to a nearby hospital, he added. A 16-year-old boy died after a forest department compound wall collapsed in suburban Bhandup, an official said.

A viral video showed a two-wheeler being dragged in water in an inundated street in Chinchpokli area.

The suburban train services were suspended due to water logging on the tracks due to the overnight heavy downpour, railway officials said, adding the services were resumed in the morning.

Before the pandemic, both the Central Railway and Western Railway used to ferry over 75 lakh commuters a day in over 3000 suburban train services which are now allowed only for emergency services staff and government employees. The rain fury reminded some Mumbaikars of the the 24-hour rainfall figure of 944 mm on July 26, 2005.

Meanwhile water logging has been reported in several parts of the city including Andheri, Kurla, Chembur, Gandhi Market, Hindmata, Malad and Borivali.

The BMC said that the city recorded 156 mm rainfall followed by eastern suburbs reporting 143 mm of rainfall till 2 am on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed anguish at the loss of lives caused by wall collapse incidents in Mumbai due to heavy rains.

His office also announced Rs two lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister''s National Relief Fund. A sum of Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured.

Fifteen people died in separate incidents of house collapse triggered by landslides as incessant overnight rains pounded Mumbai and nearby areas, with the city witnessing severe water logging, and disruption of local train services and vehicular traffic.

"Saddened by the loss of lives due to wall collapses in Chembur and Vikhroli in Mumbai. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that those who are injured have a speedy recovery," Modi said.