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45-Year-Old Woman Dies After Falling into Open Drain During Heavy Rain in Mumbai; BMC Launches High-Level Probe
45-Year-Old Woman Dies After Falling into Open Drain During Heavy Rain in Mumbai; BMC Launches High-Level Probe
A 45-year-old woman sadly drowned in a stormwater drain in Mumbai’s MIDC area after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding on Wednesday. The incident took place at around 9:20 p.m. near MIDC’s Andheri East gate No. 8. Local authorities, including firefighters, rushed to the scene following reports of someone being trapped there, but despite their best efforts, Ms. Vimal Anil Gaikwad could not be saved.
When pulled from the water, she was still alive and taken by fire engine to nearby Cooper Hospital, but doctors were unable to revive her. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a statement: “We are saddened to confirm this evening.
expressed condolences for the loss.
BMC Launches Investigation
Following the unfortunate event, the BMC has established a panel of three individuals to look into what happened. The group will be headed by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner. Joining them on this fact-finding mission: a fire official and an engineer who works with city infrastructure. Officials are worried one reason behind the fire might be linked to the construction of the Aqua Line metro project—a situation that does not sit well with people who live here.
(Mumbai residents have long complained there is not enough oversight when it comes to making sure things are being built properly.)There are further reasons for concern as well. A red alert has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for heavy rainfall until 8:30 am Thursday throughout both Mumbai itself as well as its neighboring districts. Among them: Thane, Palghar, and Raigad—all also under this highest-level warning.
Landslide Disrupts Traffic
Moreover, traffic jams worsened when a landslide struck the Mumbra bypass. Delays stretched to more than three hours before the road could be reopened fully.
Although officers were able to direct vehicles along one lane, nobody was hurt. With the bad weather showing no sign of letting up, Mumbai’s civic and police bosses have told people to stay at home unless travel is absolutely necessary. Continuous heavy rain means those living near the sea or in low-lying districts should be particularly careful—advice reiterated in several tweets and alerts.
School Closures in Maharashtra
Because of the heavy rainfall in the area, schools and colleges in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have been told to stay closed on Thursday. Earlier, BMC said the same for Mumbai’s educational institutions. Pune District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase gave the order after the Met department forecasted rain, lightning, and storms (orange alert).
Also Read: One Dead as Heavy Rain Disrupts Mumbai; PM Modi Cancels Scheduled Visit to Pune
“Given extremely heavy showers across the island city, we don’t want to take any chances,” explained School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar about why he declared a precautionary holiday just for Mumbai schools. Mumbaikars are still coming to terms with yesterday’s events; while it has not stopped pouring since then or today so far—officials stress they are keeping close tabs on developments for now mainly out of concern for residents’ safety.
