Highlights | 3 dead as Mumbai rains wreak havoc, IMD forecasts more heavy rains
Heavy rain pounded India’s commercial capital Mumbai for the fourth straight day on Tuesday.
Heavy rains for the fourth consecutive day brought Mumbai to a standstill on Tuesday, flooding swathes of area and sparking traffic snarls in the commercial capital.
Flights were diverted and movement of local trains was impeded due to the downpour.
Several coaches of the Nagpur-Mumbai Duronto Express derailed near Maharashtra’s Asangaon early on Tuesday after railway tracks were washed away due to rains. This was the fourth train derailment in the country in a a span of 10 days.
India Meteorological Department said a ‘Red’ warning had been issued for the next 24 hours for the city and adjoining areas, indicating there could be very heavy rainfall. He said the city and surrounding areas would continue to receive heavy rainfall over the next 2-3 days.
Approximately 30 lakh commuters were stuck on the Central, Western and Harbour railways by evening as local train services were paralysed due to water logging.
Live updates:
12:21am: Train update | Western Railways says evacuation of all stranded passengers is priority and trains will be run throughout the night if required.
12:05am: Vikhroli building collapse | A two-year-old was killed after four-five rooms collapsed in a slum-like structure in Vikhroli. Kalyani Gopal lost her life after a wall of the room collapsed on her, leaving her parents injured. The incident occurred after 11pm in Jankalyan Nagar society, Varsha Nagar in Vikhroli.
11:59pm: ANI reports two dead after landslide in Vikhroli’s Surya Nagar.
11:58pm: Train update | Western Railways says trains between Churchgate-Andheri are resuming. First train for Virar from Churchgate being started at 11.58pm.
11:53pm: Train update | Western Railways says heavy-duty pumps have been put in to remove water from tracks at Matunga Road. BMC’s assistance has also been sought. All efforts are being made to bring down water level to safe operational level to start services between Churchgate and Andheri.
11:45pm: The Indian Navy has put up four rain shelters for people stranded away from their homes, to provide food, water and first aid, ANI reports. Almost 1700 Defence Civilians, including ladies, are being accommodated with the Naval Dockyard and 400 civilian employees are being accommodated at Anger and Noorbhoy building.
One shelter is located at the Sailors’ Institute ‘Sagar’ at Cooperage, close to Churchgate station as well as Colaba and Nariman Point areas. The other three shelters are located at the naval base INS Trata at Worli, the naval base INS Hamla at Marve near Malad and the Material Organisation campus at Ghatkopar.
Contact numbers for the shelters — Sagar, Cooperage - 22848518, INS Trata, Worli - 24933795, 24920492, INS Hamla, Marve - 29992600, 29992700 and Material Organisation Ghatkopar - 8422806253, 25043606.
11:30pm: ANI reports that one person has died and two have been injured in a building collapse in Vikhroli’s Varsha Nagar.
11:25pm: Train update | Central Railway says services on Thane-Kalyan up and down slow lines resumed from 10:30 pm.
10:50pm: Traffic update | Mumbai Police says traffic is clear on Western Express Highway from the airport upto Dahisar. Traffic moving to South Mumbai towards Navi Mumbai, through Eastern Freeway is clear. Traffic from the south towards Thane through Eastern Freeway and Eastern Expressway is clear
10: 34pm: Hyderabad Express was stranded at Sion station for two hours. Fire Brigade rescued over 200 passengers late evening.
10:25pm: Skymet issues landslide warning.
10:15pm: ANI reports that rain water has entered the cargo complex of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
10:08pm: In his update on the situation in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis says that nine pumps are being used across the city to tackle waterlogging. He says that the high tide is expected to go down in an hour. Once it subsides, the railways expects to be able to resume services.
Fadnavis says that the BMC, the police and the government are monitoring the situation across the city. They are also responding to people’s requests for help through Twitter, SMS, WhatsApp and the helplines.
“We are taking constant updates from the IMD and issuing advisories accordingly,” the CM added.
9:55pm: Central Railways says Transharbour services resumed services from 8:50pm.
9:53pm: Bombay Stock Exchange to remain open tomorrow, August 30, and all the market segments will function normally, ANI reports.
9:45pm: Advisory issued by the government
1. Stay wherever you are i.e. home or office.
2. Power failure is likely due to water logging thus keep mobile, laptop, power bank etc. charged.
3. Keep food and water with yourself.
4. If stuck in your car and if it is automatic then open its glasses before shutting it down.
5. Inform your family about your whereabouts.
6. Take shelter at secure places such as school, college, religious place etc.
7. Avoid walking on flooded roads as it is risky.
8. Help children and senior citizens.
9:30pm: Train update | Train services resume between Thane and Kalyan.
9:25pm: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has directed officials to provide all possible help to the passengers.
He has directed officials to ensure resumption of Mumbai suburban services as soon as possible once the water recede. Officers have also been directed to provide all possible help to stranded passengers and employees.
9:19pm: ANI reports that a total of 10 flights from Mumbai airport have been cancelled, 7 flights diverted and 23 flights asked to go-around till now.
9:18pm:
9:15pm: Vehicles coming from Goa and Pune have been advised not to enter the rain-battered city today as a precautionary measure to avoid a grid-locked situation in Mumbai, the police told PTI.
9:01pm: Traffic update | Mumbai Police says traffic from D’Mello road toward Eastern Feeway is moving now and will be cleared soon.
8:50pm: List of telephone numbers for Disaster Management Control Rooms across Mumbai—
8: 45pm: Police Commissioner of Navi Mumbai, Heman Nagrale says Thane and Navi Mumbai have become inaccessible by road or train and several are stranded at various places. Those in distress of any kind can contact the Navi Mumbai Police on these numbers
1. 022-27561099
2. 022-27572887
3. 8424820686
4. 8424820665
8:25pm: BMC PRO says the corporation has cancelled leaves of all employees and has asked them to join back.
8:21pm: CM Fadnavis says that due to IMD warnings, people in Mumbai and areas around the city are advised to stay home unless there is an emergency.
8:18pm: Train update | Central Railway says Kopar Khairane-Thane transharbour services and Kalva-Thane suburban services suspended due to water logging
Western Railways says services between Churchgate and Andheri are still suspended because of heavy rains and water logging (upto 300mm above rail level) between Lower Parel, Elphistone and Dadar.
8:13pm: Mumbai Police control room has received 210 calls of tree fall and 70 calls on short circuit.
8:06pm:
8:05pm: Electricity failure at Sion Hospital. Resident doctors say only the emergency ward is working.
7:53pm: Mumbai records 297.6mm rain in 9 hours (8:30am-5:30pm), higher than any 24-hour rain in August in a decade.
7:50pm: Traffic update | Mumbai Police says traffic was stuck on Western Expressway due to the overflowing Dahisar river. Now the water has receded and traffic has started moving northward.
7: 45pm: Update on trains | According to officials, CST, Dadar and Churchgate stations are the worst hit as commuters had no place to sit and were seen standing waiting for a train to arrive. Many took to the roads to make their way home. Western Railway officials said that they may be able to resume services by 8.30 pm.
Central Railway officials were unable to give an estimate on when the train services would resume with Sion in Central Mumbai proving to be main headache for authorities as water was not being pumped out of the tracks. The Central railways resumed services only from Thane to Kalyan.
7:34pm: Electricity has been cut off in flooded Hindmata for nearly two hours as there are chances of electrocution, a BEST source said.
7:30pm: CM Fadnavis has instructed that toll collection be suspended at all Mumbai entry points and at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link till the rain situation is back to normal.
7:25pm: A tube boat is being used for rescue operations in Dadar,which is facing massive water logging.
7: 20pm: Read | Roads to avoid, helplines to call: 10 things to know as Mumbai fights heavy rain
7:00pm: Central Railway tweets that water is receding and asks travellers not to panic. “Remain where you are. We are trying our best.”
6:56pm: President Ram Nath Kovind tweets: “Govt & public agencies taking all steps amid heavy rains. Glad to note voluntary groups & citizens too coming together. Thoughts with families, especially children, in Mumbai & western parts of the country hit by heavy downpour.”
6:55pm: Siddhivinayak temple is providing shelter, tea and snacks to people stuck in the area.
6:38pm: Home minister Rajnath Singh says he spoke to CM Fadnavis. “I also assured the Maharashtra CM of all possible help from the Centre. The NDRF teams have already reached Mumbai for rescue & relief ops,” he tweets.
6:35pm: Maharashtra state education minister Vinod Tawde tweets: “With today’s heavy downpour and predictions for heavier rainfall; schools,college authorities instructed to remain closed tomorrow.”
6:28pm: BMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner Sudhir Naik says Wadala has received maximum amount of rainfall at 253mm.
He says 6 big pumping stations have been setup across the city and 30,000 BMC staff are working on the ground.
6:27pm: Update from Western Railway | Suburban services remain suspended between Churchgate-Andheri due to incessant rains and water logging on tracks. However, suburban services between Andheri-Virar-Dahanu Road are being run every 10 minutes.
6:25pm: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport says it is operational but has requested all travellers to confirm flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport.
Meanwhile, the Thane City Police has requested all citizens to remain stationed wherever they are as heavy showers, water logging and traffic are expected to continue
6:15pm: This crowdsourced list of ‘rain hosts’ has people offering shelter for those stuck in the rains in various parts of the city.
6:02pm: PM Narendra Modi says he spoke to CM Fadnavis about the rains and floods in Mumbai and surrounding areas.
“Centre assures all possible support to the Government of Maharashtra in mitigating the situation due to heavy rains in parts of the state,” Modi tweeted.
The PM urged the people of Mumbai and surrounding areas to stay safe and take all essential precautions.
6:00pm: Mumbai Police says water logging has been cleared and both north and south bound traffic has started moving on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
5:58pm: The Indian Navy tweets that five flood rescue teams and two diving teams are ready to render assistance at different locations across Mumbai.
5:54pm: Due to derailment of Duronto Express, suburban services to Kasara and Asangaon are running upto Titwala only — PR Dept, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
5:50pm:
5:42pm: Helpine Numbers in Mumbai
Central Railway Control Room: 022-22620173
Western Railway Control Room: 022-23094064
BMC helpline: 1916
WhatsApp Number for traffic updates: 8454999999
5:38pm:
5:34pm: Gurudwaras, Ganesh mandals and other places of worship are helping people stranded by the rain. Gurudwaras are holding langars and providing food to people.
The Goud Saraswat Brahmin Seva Mandal at King’s Circle has asked people in Dadar, Matunga, Sion and Parel to drop in for food.
5:25pm: Operations resume at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
5:20pm:
5:10pm: Traffic update | Mumbai Police says south bound traffic towards Matunga has been diverted to Wadala due to waterlogging on the Eastern Express Highway (Amar Mahal) SG Barve Road and VN Purav Road.
5:00pm: Mumbai Police advises citizens to abandon car if the water level on the road reaches up to the level of the car tyres.
4:55pm:
4:49pm:
4:44pm:
4:38pm: The main control room has directed day PI of Sion Police station to check near Sion Hospital for 3 school buses.
4:37pm: Traffic update | Traffic has been closed on Bandra-Worli Sea Link due to water logging at Worli end.
4:35pm: Ganpati visarjan is still going on at Girgaum Chowpatty, says Mumbai Police.
4:34pm: According to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport PRO, operations at Mumbai airport have been suspended for some time due to low visibility.
4:25pm: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has requested people to follow traffic advisories being issued. “You can also tweet to/call Mumbai Police, police will come to your rescue,” he says.
4:15pm: Here are the helpline numbers:
BMC helpline -- 1916
Mumbai Police helpline no -- 100
4:10pm: IMD forecasts heavy rain in Maharashtra till September 1 due to active monsoon spell.
3:50pm: Regional meteorological centre issues heavy rainfall warning for next three days in Maharashtra: ANI
3:40pm: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis visits State Disaster Management Control room to oversee the situation.
I have talked to BMC’s disaster management cell and Mumbai Police. The mantralaya staff have been told to leave early, ANI quotes Fadnavis.
3:35pm: For the first time, traffic towards south Mumbai on Bandra-Worli sealink stopped to clear traffic ahead.
3:30pm: Two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are in Mumbai
3:20pm: Milan subway and Andheri subway closed due to water logging.
3:15pm: Maharashtra issues orders to allow all government employees to leave as heavy rains pound Mumbai. says news agency ANI.
3:10pm: Between 8.30am to 2.30pm Tuesday, suburbs recorded 126mm rain while south Mumbai recorded 37.6mm.
3:05pm: Stay indoors. Move out only if it is very important, police advise on Twitter.
2:50pm: High tide of 3.32 metres expected at 16:30 hours. Avoid waterfronts,sitting on tetrapods or on promenades, Mumbai Police tweets, adding that it can cause heavy water logging in the coming hours.
Read | Heavy rains shut down schools in Mumbai
2:40pm: Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray tweets: “No need to evacuate offices. Traffic build up is heavy due to over load of vehicles. Please stay put safely where you are.”
2:35pm: Local train services on all three lines halted in Mumbai.
2:25pm: 136 dewatering pumps pressed into service across the city.
2:30pm: I hope the airlines will be compassionate to those flying out of Mumbai. Re-book without being greedy for once, tweets Suhel Seth.
2:15pm: City received 100 mm of rains in the last six hours since 7:30 am on Tuesday.
2:10pm:
2:05pm: Traffic signal not operating in Dadar circle area of Mumbai.
2:pm: Four people injured after an iron frame for posters fell, at the VP road area. The injured have been shifted to Saifee hospital in Mumbai.
Follow @MumbaiPolice for more updates on traffic situation.
1:55pm: South bound traffic towards Matunga diverted to Wadala due to water logging on EEH (Amar Mahal) SG Barve Road and VN Purav Road: Mumbai Police
1:40pm: Severe water logging in Andheri East’s Sahar area, reports ANI.
1:35pm: Here’s a look at the traffic snarls in Mumbai
1:30pm: Mumbai’s municipal body BMC reports three incidents of wall collapse,16 incidents of short circuit and 23 incidents of trees/branches falling in a day: ANI
1:20pm: Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti in Mumbai issues advisory to Ganapati mandals to disconnect power supplies if there is water logging in the area.
1:10pm: 3 teams of NDRF stationed in Mumbai put on alert and two additional teams have been moved from Pune to Mumbai.
1pm: Suburban train service suspended on main line between Parel and Kurla frm 12:30 hrs and on the Harbour Line between Vadala Road-Kurla from 12:20hrs, says Central Railways PRO.
Colaba weather bureau records 152 mm of rain between Monday and Tuesday mornings -- the highest rainfall this year
Western railway trains from Bandra towards the city have been stopped.
12:55pm: Water logging at KEM Hospital’s ground floor. 30 patients shifted to upper floors.
12:30pm: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) says the situation is well under control and advises the people to step out of their homes only if necessary.
“The metropolis has received heavy rainfall since last night. Between 8.30 am and 12 pm today, the city received 85 mm rainfall,” Sudhir Naik, deputy municipal commissioner, told PTI.
(With inputs from agencies)