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Mumbai: Heavy rain paralyses life in India's financial capital | Mumbai: Heavy rain paralyses life in India's financial capital |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Parts of the city are under knee-deep water | Parts of the city are under knee-deep water |
Heavy rainfall in India's financial capital Mumbai has disrupted the lives of millions of people, submerging roads and leading to flight and train cancellations. | Heavy rainfall in India's financial capital Mumbai has disrupted the lives of millions of people, submerging roads and leading to flight and train cancellations. |
Many parts of the city remain inundated in waist-deep water, with videos showing residents swimming through waterlogged roads as garbage gushed out from clogged sewers. | Many parts of the city remain inundated in waist-deep water, with videos showing residents swimming through waterlogged roads as garbage gushed out from clogged sewers. |
Authorities on Tuesday rescued 600 people who got stuck on an overcrowded monorail system that stopped mid-journey. At least 23 had to be treated for suffocation, officials have said. | |
Monsoon rains are common in Maharashtra state - where Mumbai is located - around this time of the year. | Monsoon rains are common in Maharashtra state - where Mumbai is located - around this time of the year. |
But the region is experiencing particularly heavy rainfall this time. At least 21 people have died in rain-related accidents across the state this week. | |
In just four days, Mumbai has seen 800mm of rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department, which is well above the average rain recorded in August. | |
India's weather department has issued a red alert for the city and its neighbouring districts, predicting very heavy rains to continue on Wednesday, but has said the situation would improve later in the week. | |
Most schools and colleges are shut and some 350 people have been shifted from the city's low-lying areas to temporary shelters. | |
People being evacuated from low-lying areas after severe water logging | People being evacuated from low-lying areas after severe water logging |
Rescued residents wait at temporary shelters as heavy rains continue in Mumbai | Rescued residents wait at temporary shelters as heavy rains continue in Mumbai |
Mumbai's local trains - a lifeline for millions of commuters - have seen heavy disruptions with thousands of people waiting on platforms on Tuesday as services were delayed for hours. | Mumbai's local trains - a lifeline for millions of commuters - have seen heavy disruptions with thousands of people waiting on platforms on Tuesday as services were delayed for hours. |
"Trains scheduled for last night have left this morning and those supposed to leave this morning have been delayed to later," a passenger told news agency ANI. | "Trains scheduled for last night have left this morning and those supposed to leave this morning have been delayed to later," a passenger told news agency ANI. |
Why monsoon rains wreak havoc annually in India's cities | Why monsoon rains wreak havoc annually in India's cities |
India's 'Silicon Valley' flooded after heavy rains | India's 'Silicon Valley' flooded after heavy rains |
Flight operations to and from the city's international airport have also taken a hit, with 50 flights reportedly cancelled over the past few days. | Flight operations to and from the city's international airport have also taken a hit, with 50 flights reportedly cancelled over the past few days. |
"While we want your journey to be as hassle-free as possible, Mother nature has her own plans. With heavy rains expected again in Mumbai, there's a chance this could lead to air traffic congestion and impact flight operations," budget carrier IndiGo said on X. | "While we want your journey to be as hassle-free as possible, Mother nature has her own plans. With heavy rains expected again in Mumbai, there's a chance this could lead to air traffic congestion and impact flight operations," budget carrier IndiGo said on X. |
Meanwhile, chaos erupted on Tuesday after a monorail system, which was reportedly full far beyond its capacity, halted mid-track. | Meanwhile, chaos erupted on Tuesday after a monorail system, which was reportedly full far beyond its capacity, halted mid-track. |
A passenger who was on the train told BBC Marathi that with the air-conditioning switched off, passengers tried to open the doors to call for help. | A passenger who was on the train told BBC Marathi that with the air-conditioning switched off, passengers tried to open the doors to call for help. |
Fire department and police teams had to use cranes to bring stranded passengers down from the elevated tracks. | Fire department and police teams had to use cranes to bring stranded passengers down from the elevated tracks. |
A preliminary investigation suggested the incident took place due to "overcrowding in the train", according to reports. | A preliminary investigation suggested the incident took place due to "overcrowding in the train", according to reports. |
The rains caused severe traffic congestion, disrupting train and flight schedules | The rains caused severe traffic congestion, disrupting train and flight schedules |
Opposition lawmakers have blamed the government for being ill-prepared to handle the situation. | Opposition lawmakers have blamed the government for being ill-prepared to handle the situation. |
Aaditya Thackeray of the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) party said several areas, including Mumbai, were witnessing an "absolute collapse of governance". | Aaditya Thackeray of the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) party said several areas, including Mumbai, were witnessing an "absolute collapse of governance". |
He alleged that the government had done "zero planning" despite red alerts being issued, pointing out that the city's airport was flooded on Tuesday and new water-logging spots had emerged - particularly around recently built infrastructure. | He alleged that the government had done "zero planning" despite red alerts being issued, pointing out that the city's airport was flooded on Tuesday and new water-logging spots had emerged - particularly around recently built infrastructure. |
Several citizens also took to social media, criticising the city's collapsing infrastructure and poor planning. | Several citizens also took to social media, criticising the city's collapsing infrastructure and poor planning. |
Mumbai is one of India's richest cities, significantly contributing to the country's GDP, industrial output and trade. | |
Home to more than 12 million people, it has long attracted migrants from across the country who come in search of better opportunities. | |
While the city has seen a bevy of infrastructure upgrades in recent years - including coastal roads, sea bridges and a new metro system - experts say investments to improve ageing drainage systems and climate-resilient infrastructure have not kept pace with the growing population. | |
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. | Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. |
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