Rains continue to lash Mumbai, Konkan; IMD issues red alert for 48 hours

As Mumbai and neighbouring Thane district continued to receive heavy rains, IMD issued a red alert on Sunday, the severe warning will last for 48 hours. A red warning is an indication to take precautionary actions beforehand.

Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for 48 hours stating heavy rain was expected at various places across Mumbai.

Water-logging and incidents of tree/branch falling were reported in Mumbai, causing traffic jams. Interior Maharashtra also received fairly widespread rainfall, India IMD said. It issued an orange alert for neighbouring Palghar district and a yellow warning for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nashik and Pune districts.

A yellow warning means `be updated' while orange warning means `authorities should be prepared'. The most severe warning is red (take action).

The Colaba weather station in south Mumbai reported 74.6 mm rainfall during 12 hours since 8.30 am on Saturday, while the Santacruz weather station in western suburbs recorded 132.2 mm rainfall, said the IMD.

"Mumbai, NM (Navi Mumbai), Thane; very intense spells of RF (rainfall) last 12 hrs leading to very heavy (120-200mm) to Extremely heavy RF (>200 mm) so far. Parts of Thane recorded so far more than 200 mm, Boriwali side 170 mm. The city so far 70 - 80 mm. Contrast to what happened yesterday. Still, more ahead," Mumbai IMD Deputy Director-General K SHosalikar tweeted late in the evening.

Harnai in coastal Ratnagiri district, south of Raigad, reported 52.6 mm rainfall during the period, while the Ratnagiri city weather station recorded 54.1 mm rains. The Satara district in the Western Maharashtra region reported 9.6 mm rainfall, while Kolhapur witnessed 3 mm rain.

The Colaba weather station in Mumbai recorded 169 mm rainfall during 24 hours from 8.30 am on Friday, while the Santacruz weather station reported 157 mm rainfall in the same period, the IMD said.

With inputs from agency