Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024 | Last Update : 10:08 PM IST
Pre-monsoon showers wreak havoc in city
Due to the heavy downpour, there were traffic jams on the Western Express Highway.
Mumbai: Heavy rains coupled with strong winds and thunderstorms lashed several parts of Mumbai on Monday evening. Neighbouring areas like Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali, Ambernath, Badlapur and Navi Mumbai also received a good rainfall.
The rains, which started at around 8 pm, lasted for nearly an hour. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorm and strong winds accompanied rainfall in many areas in what was one of the first showers of this monsoon. There was moderate thunderstorm with frequent lightening flashes and heavy spell of rain.
Due to the heavy downpour, there were traffic jams on the Western Express Highway (WEH) as well as in the suburbs. The main reason behind traffic snags was water logging on roads. The road most hit with traffic was Malad Link road further delaying home-going Mumbaikars by at least 20 minutes.
Water-logging was reported at Hindmata, due to which BMC had to start its dewatering pumps to release water. At Gandhi Market in Sion too, pumps were started. In all, BMC used 17 dewatering pumps at various places to discharge water.
Water-logging complaints were received from Dharavi, Dadar TT Circle, Kabutarkhana, Nagpada, Kings Circle, Santacruz, Marol Maroshi and Andheri (east).
The first showers also caused havoc on the harbour line with the train schedule going haywire. Trains going towards Panvel, Navi Mumbai were running half an hour late causing lot of inconvenience to commuters.
“The entire day went under the hot sun with high humidity. However, in the evening, clouds started gathering in the sky and then it rained heavily for about half an hour. Such kind of errant weather is sure to bring trouble for Mumbaikars,” said Borivali resident Aditya Hasolkar.
While the onset of monsoon in the city is expected from June 7-8, the IMD has hinted at an early arrival.
According to civic data, the rainfall received between 8 pm to 9 pm was 43mm in Matunga and Dahisar, 39 mm in Dharavi and Dindoshi, 46 mm in Andheri, 42 mm in Kandivali, 36 mm in Malad, 42 mm in Marol and 35 mm in Wadala, Goregaon and Chembur.
