MUMBAI: Heavy rains on Tuesday lashed Mumbai inundating low lying areas and paralysing normal life as river Mithi crossed the danger mark prompting authorities to evacuate people in coastal Kurla area.
A red alert has been issued after the river touched 2.8 metre, which is point one metre above the danger mark. Residents along the river coast in Kurla were shifted to nearby schools, civic officials said.
Three persons were injured after a tree was uprooted due to gusty winds in suburban Powai, police said.
Air, rail and road traffic were badly hit due to water logging in several places including suburban Andheri, Dadar, Hindmata, Juhu, Khar, Bandra, King Circle and Sion.
With forecast of high-tide of 3.89 metres, suburban rail services particularly in the Harbour and Central were stopped till further notices as there was waterlogging all along the tracks from Kurla in central Mumbai to CST in south Mumbai.
Western railways were running late by 40 to 45 minutes, officials said.
State authorities were in constant touch with disaster management cell and had discussions with naval authorities to gear up for emergency situations.
The Met department recorded 293.1 mm rainfall in the Santacruz observatory and 152.4 mm at Colaba in south Mumbai in last 30 hours.
Suburban Santacruz observatory recorded 145 mm of rainfall in six hours since 8.30 am, Met officials said.
The crucial Andheri and Milan subways in the western suburbs were under 2 to 3 ft water and closed for traffic, civic officials said.
Roads leading to airport witnessed massive traffic jam with water logging at several places.
As many as 120 water pumps have been deployed to clear water from low lying areas. Ward officers have been deployed particularly along the banks of Mithi river, the officials said.
Several schools were closed and attendance was thin in offices with local train and bus services being affected by heavy rains.
The visibility at the airport was 600 metres. Incoming flights were delayed by 20 minutes while their departure up to an hour. Goa airport was also affected due to the heavy rainfall, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson said.