Mumbai braces for more rain: Schools, colleges closed; death toll reaches 4

Mumbai: Mumbai is on high alert for further rainfall after a severe storm claimed at least four lives. In response, authorities have decided to close schools and colleges as a precaution.

The heavy rain on Wednesday surprised many residents, leading to three fatalities, including 45-year-old Vimal A. Gaikwad, who tragically drowned in an open drain in Andheri East. Another woman lost her life near the Zenith Waterfalls in Khopoli, while two others were killed by a lightning strike in Varap village, Kalyan.

The rain caused significant flooding across Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, stranding countless commuters during the evening rush hour. Businessman Sandeep Viswambhar, who was driving from Taloja to Powai, faced major traffic delays, taking nearly five hours for a trip that usually takes just one hour. Similarly, stock market consultant Rajesh Shah struggled through waterlogged streets, making a journey from Sion to Borivali in five hours instead of one.

Certain areas in eastern Mumbai received particularly heavy rainfall, with Mankhurd recording 275 mm, Powai 260 mm, and Vikhroli 230 mm. Overall, from Wednesday morning to Thursday at 8 am, the BMC reported 117.18 mm of rain in Mumbai City, 170.58 mm in the eastern suburbs, and 108.75 mm in the western suburbs.

As the floodwaters began to recede on Thursday morning, the city remained under an Orange alert. On a positive note, the freshwater lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai are now nearly full, at 99.18%, close to last year's level of 99.27%. With over 14.3 million litres of water in storage, city officials are optimistic about avoiding water shortages this year.

Agency