Maharashtra: IMD issues heavy rain alert, CM allays fears of people

Roads of the Sion were seen flooded with water. People were seen wading through knee-deep water in Andheri as well. Train and bus services have been affected on some routes due to flooding in the low-lying areas and railway tracks, officials said.

Mumbai: The IMD on Tuesday issued a heavy rainfall alert for Maharashtra over the next four days, following which Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the administration to take precautions and ensure there is no loss of life or property. The statement came after the Kundalika river in Raigad district, located near Mumbai, crossed the danger mark resultant of the incessant rains. The rains also caused severe water logging at several places in the financial capital, leading to a major halt in the day-to-day activities across the city. Other than Mumbai, several surrounding districts have been adversely affected by the continuous downpour.

"The situation in Mumbai is being closely monitored. The Kundalika river in Raigad has crossed the danger mark. The water level of the Amba, Savitri, Patalganga, Ulhas and Gadhi rivers was a little less than the danger mark," the IMD notification said. The IMD has therefore issued an 'orange alert' for the south Konkan region and Goa and a 'yellow alert' for the north Konkan, north-central and south-central Maharashtra and Marathwada regions. The MeT department issues four colour-coded predictions based on the prevailing weather systems. The green colour indicates no warning, yellow is to keep a watch, orange is to stay alert, while red means a warning and that action needs to be taken.

The Marathwada region is likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds with a speed of 40-50 kmph, the IMD said. The Chief Minister's Office in a statement said CM Shinde is in touch with Collectors of Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. The National Disaster Response Force has also been asked to remain alert.

Meanwhile, in view of the worsening situations all across the state, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has held discussions with Chief Secretary Manu Kumar Srivastava. Guardian secretaries have been asked to reach their districts and monitor the situation, the statement said. Instructions have been issued that there should be no loss of life or property in view of the heavy rainfall and flood-like situation. The Chief Minister is in touch with Collectors of all districts in the Konkan region, it said.

Officials of the water resource department have been asked to remain alert and take necessary precautions in view of the heavy rains, it said. People, especially in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Kolhapur, where the rainfall intensity is more, should be alerted about floods in advance, the statement said. (With Agency Inputs)