Rain-ravaged Mumbai limps back to normalcy

Mumbai, June 20: A day after being ravaged by torrential rains, Mumbai limped back to normalcy on Saturday amidst forecast of heavy rains for the weekend.

There have been around eight rain-related casualties, including three in Mumbai and the rest in other parts of Maharashtra so far.

The city's lifelines -- Western Railway (WR), Central Railway (CR) and the Harbour Line (a part of CR) -- which had virtually collapsed on Friday, resumed regular operations, but with delays of 15-45 minutes on Saturday and ferried commuters to and from their homes-offices.

Traffic on the Eastern Express and Western Express highways slicing through the city was heavy and slow moving as waterlogging continued in some patches due to overnight rains.

All flights at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on the domestic and international terminals are on schedule on Saturday, an official spokesperson said.

All public and private schools and colleges will remain closed for the day as per an earlier government appeal.

However, banks, financial institutions, shops, business districts, trading areas and commercial establishments across the city started returning to normalcy with near-normal attendance on Saturday.

Since Thursday till Friday night, Mumbai notched a record 285 mm and suburban Santacruz 417 mm rainfall.

The weather bureau has forecast occasional bouts of very heavy and heavy rains with continual rains or showers in the city and surroundings.

A 4.33 metre high tide was expected in the Arabian Sea on Saturday afternoon (around 3.30 p.m.) and people had been warned against venturing near the seashore or beaches dotting Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena-BJP controlled BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) -- which came under severe fire from the citizens and various political parties for the collapse on Friday -- continues to be in a state of high alert to tackle any eventuality over the next couple of days.

IANS