Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 5 : Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash Mumbai and several other parts of the country on Sunday, causing waterlogging, claiming lives and prompting authorities to intensify safety measures, including the closure of all schools and colleges in the financial capital on Monday.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai received more than 265 mm of rainfall and over 227 mm in the suburbs during the last 24 hours (till 6 pm on Sunday).
Severe waterlogging was reported in Navi Mumbai's Chirner village, with locals claiming to have killed at least 12 snakes on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, a resident said, "...No one has come to check on us yet. We have been in this water for two days now... Yesterday alone, we killed at least 10 to 12 snakes..."
In Mumbai, a 63-year-old man died after a tree fell on a shop in Kurla amid gusty winds and heavy rainfall, marking yet another rain-related fatality in the city.
The deceased, identified as Yunus Kundawala (63), was rushed to Fauzia Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
According to civic authorities, the incident was reported at around 12:40 pm near Hindi BMC School at Gomes Gown Building in Kamani, Kurla (West), where a tree collapsed onto a shop. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), police, BEST personnel and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) staff were rushed to the spot to carry out rescue and clearance operations.
Reacting to the incident, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the victim's family and said a probe would be conducted to ascertain why the tree had not been identified as a potential hazard.
"We will not support the municipal administration in any wrongdoing. An inquiry will be conducted to determine why this was overlooked. For now, we have announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the family, and as Mayor, I--along with the entire BMC--stand in solidarity with them," Tawde said.
Calling for preventive measures, the Mayor said the BMC had ordered a citywide audit of trees, particularly old trees and those located along cement concrete roads, besides an audit of manholes to ensure covers and safety grilles are in place.
"An audit of the trees is indeed necessary. As Mayor, I held a review meeting to call for an audit of all trees across the BMC area, including those alongside CC roads and the city's older trees aged 50-60 years or more. We have also ordered an audit of all manholes to check for covers and safety grilles," she said.
Appealing to citizens to remain cautious, Tawde urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, citing heavy rainfall, strong winds and high tide conditions. "My appeal to Mumbaikars is this: step out only if you have essential work. People go to the seaside for recreation. I saw children being made to sit on the sea walls. That is extremely dangerous. With the high tide, going there is unsafe. Unless it is necessary, do not venture out without a reason," she said.
Responding to criticism from the Opposition over the city's preparedness, the Mayor said the civic administration was actively monitoring the situation on the ground.
"The people of Mumbai have not seen a Mayor moving around like this in the last 25 years. We work for the people, which is why they elect us. Those sitting in the opposition today failed to do the work. They need to come out into the field instead of commenting from their homes," Tawde said.
In view of the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Orange Alert for Mumbai on Monday, forecasting heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation declared a holiday on July 6 for all government, private and BMC-run schools and colleges in the city.
The civic body said the decision was taken keeping in mind the safety of students. However, government and private offices will function as usual. The BMC also appealed to citizens to step out only if absolutely necessary.
The latest fatality comes two days after another rain-related death in Mumbai, where 55-year-old Aslam Isak Shaikh fell into an open manhole in the Sakinaka area of Andheri East during heavy rainfall. Police subsequently registered a case against a contractor and workers engaged in drainage repair work in connection with the incident.
Heavy rainfall also affected neighbouring Palghar district, where the Nalasopara area remained waterlogged following continuous showers. Commuters were seen wading through inundated roads, leading to severe disruption in daily movement.
The impact of the monsoon was also felt in other parts of the country.
In Jharkhand, several parts of Ranchi witnessed waterlogging following continuous rainfall. Ranchi Mayor Roshni Khalkho said the Municipal Corporation was making every effort to improve sanitation and monsoon preparedness despite a shortage of funds.
She said the civic body had increased the deployment of JCB machines, expanded field staff, intensified drain-cleaning operations and deployed modern machinery. However, she added that damaged drains require repair and reconstruction, with inadequate funding posing a major challenge.
"Despite a shortage of funds, the Municipal Corporation is doing its utmost regarding sanitation and preparations for the upcoming monsoon; for instance, we have increased the number of JCBs deployed. You can see that major drains are being cleaned, and smaller drains are being cleared day and night... We have also increased our field staff and deployed modern machinery... the point is that cleaning alone isn't enough... in the three months of our tenure so far, we have faced a lack of funds; consequently, many drains are broken or damaged and require repair or reconstruction to ensure proper water flow. The lack of funds is causing difficulties for us," the Ranchi Mayor told ANI.
In Uttar Pradesh, heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging on the Delhi-Lucknow road in Hapur, affecting traffic movement and causing inconvenience to commuters.
Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh, 14 labourers stranded due to rising floodwaters in Gariaband district were safely rescued in a joint operation by the Gariaband Police and the Mahasamund Home Guard.
DSP Nitesh Singh said the labourers were living in a temporary shed beneath an under-construction bridge over the Bagnai River near Bijapal village when continuous rainfall over the past 24 hours caused water levels to rise rapidly, trapping them.
"Bijapal village is located on the border of Gariaband and Mahasamund districts, under the jurisdiction of Chura Police Station. Bridge construction work was underway on the Bagnai River there, and 14 labourers were living in a makeshift shed beneath the bridge. Due to continuous rainfall in Gariaband district over the past 24 hours, the water level rose suddenly, trapping all 14 labourers," said the official.
"Upon receiving this information, a joint rescue operation was successfully carried out by the Gariaband Police team and the Mahasamund Home Guard team. Had they not been rescued in time, their lives could have been in danger; we have averted a serious situation. It is raining continuously. Gariaband district is surrounded by forests, small streams, rivers, and hills; consequently, water levels are rising due to the rain. The Gariaband Police team is on alert at the site and maintaining a close watch," he added.