Mumbai back on track, BMC chief says will get those who spread rumours of cyclone

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta has asked for strict action to be initiated against those who spread wrong, dangerous messages on various social media websites.

After heavy rainfall pounded the city over two days, Mumbai crawled back to normalcy on Thursday morning. Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta came down heavily on those spreading cyclone rumours.

Cars pass through a waterlogged street in Wadala on Wednesday morning. (HT Photo)

Mehta took strict cognizance of rumors circulating about a cyclone on Wednesday afternoon, asking for strict action to be initiated against those who spread wrong, dangerous messages on various social media websites. Mehta has asked such people to be punished under section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 , which can land the personal responsible in imprisonment for up to one year or fine them.

On Thursday, 28,000 staff members of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed garbage that was washed up with the flood water. “We are undertaking cleaning work in each ward. Along with garbage, due to flood , there were over 100 tree fall cases, which we are cleaning now,” said a civic official. There was no water logging reported in the city on Thursday morning.

The day after, several local trains services were delayed and suspended. Western and Central Railway operated all trains, which were running late by 10-15 minutes. Central Railway had reduced the number of trains by 20% yesterday and with restricted speed. “After water logging receded in Sion, Virar, Bandra and Vasai and technical issues were resolved, all the trains are running on all the three lines,” said a railway official. Due to agitation on Harbour line at Chembur, trains are delayed by 20 minutes.