One Dead as Heavy Rain Disrupts Mumbai; PM Modi Cancels Scheduled Visit to Pune

One Dead as Heavy Rain Disrupts Mumbai; PM Modi Cancels Scheduled Visit to Pune

A 45-year-old woman named Vimal Anil Gaikwad died tragically on Wednesday in Andheri East after falling into an open drain during heavy rainfall that also caused widespread flooding, leading to transport chaos, cancellations of both flights from the city’s airports, and trains on some lines, plus road congestion.

More rain was forecast for Thursday, but Narendra Modi had to call off a trip he’d planned to Pune because it rained so much in Mumbai, where things started getting back to normal by daybreak, although there were still lots of people unable to move anywhere as most buses remained parked and cabs stayed off-duty.

Impact on Transport

Severe waterlogging halted local train services between Kurla and Thane stations, leaving passengers stranded. Videos shared on social media showed tracks underwater, while officials said bad weather had forced several flights to be diverted. All 14 flights were affected, with nine of IndiGo’s aircraft having to land at alternative airports such as Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Goa’s Mopa Airport, and Udaipur.

Airlines affected by the disruption included IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, Akasa, and Gulf Air. Services on the Harbour Line were brought back on Thursday morning after being suspended during the evening rush hour, although there were still delays. Central Railways advised people to stay onboard trains for their own safety while services were running slowly.

IMD Weather Alert

Mumbai and its neighboring districts have been issued a red alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) until Thursday with more heavy rain expected. In Palghar there is also a red alert, but for Thane, Raigad, Pune, Nashik, and Dhule an orange alert has been issued.

According to IMD scientist Sushma Nair, these rains are being caused by a trough line from Konkan stretching into Bangladesh; further heavy downpours can be expected across Konkan as well as central parts of Maharashtra state—plus Goa.

Schools and Colleges Closed

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) halted all schools and colleges in Mumbai and its suburbs on Thursday due to the inclement weather, citing concerns for the safety of the students. Schools in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad were also ordered to close due to the day’s orange alert.

Civic Measures and Emergency Response
Mumbai’s civic authority, under the guidance of Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, has given orders for de-watering pumps to be kept running and for all employees to remain on duty.

Those in charge of different areas have been asked to oversee operations there; meanwhile, SWD heads must see to it that the drainage system does not fail. To help things run smoothly, we ask people not to go outdoors unless they need or have to, but if they do, then please first find the latest travel information and take care when moving around town!

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Tragic Loss in Andheri

On Wednesday night in Andheri East, amid the commotion, 45-year-old Vimal Anil Gaikwad perished in an overflowing nullah. Although the local authorities responded promptly, she was pronounced deceased when she reached Cooper Hospital.

The civic officials are keeping a careful eye on the situation to prevent any disturbances while the city deals with the aftermath of the rain.