Heavy rainfall in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, has significantly disrupted daily life, causing extensive flooding and leading to the cancellation of numerous flights and train services. Reports indicate that many areas of the city are submerged in waist-deep water, with residents navigating waterlogged roads amidst overflowing garbage from clogged sewers.
On Tuesday, authorities conducted rescue operations for nearly 600 people stranded on an overcrowded monorail that halted mid-journey; 23 individuals required treatment for suffocation. Most schools and colleges in the region remain closed, and approximately 350 residents from low-lying areas have been evacuated to temporary shelters.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai and surrounding districts, predicting continued heavy rainfall. The city has recorded 800mm of rain over four days, a substantial amount exceeding the typical average for August. The downpour has resulted in at least 21 fatalities associated with weather-related incidents in the state.
Mumbai’s local train services, crucial for daily commuters, experienced significant delays, causing many passengers to wait for extended periods. Additionally, around 50 flights have been canceled recently, with airlines warning about potential air traffic congestion due to ongoing heavy rains.
Critics, including opposition lawmakers, have expressed concerns regarding the government’s preparedness for such severe weather events. Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party attributed the chaotic situation to a failure of governance, alleging a lack of planning despite existing red alerts. While the city has seen infrastructure improvements, experts note that enhancements to aging drainage systems and climate-resilient infrastructure have not kept pace with Mumbai’s growing population.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx29jw7488go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss