Mumbai Sees Respite as Raindrops Cease; Normalcy Returns

Mumbai, Aug 21: On Thursday morning, Mumbai residents enjoyed a respite from the rain, as sunlight finally broke through in several areas after an entire week of overcast skies. Rainfall levels have significantly decreased across the metropolis since Wednesday, with no showers recorded overnight. On Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Mumbai had issued a 'yellow alert', predicting moderate rainfall for the city.

A few commuters experienced some delays on the Central and Western Railways' suburban services. However, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses are operating normally, according to an official report.

The intensity of the rain started to ease on Wednesday, allowing normalcy to return. This was after a day of severe rainfall that had battered the financial hub, causing roads and rail tracks to be submerged and disrupting flights and trains.

Relief came for commuters as local train services on the Central Railway's Harbour line (CSMT-Panvel route) resumed at 3 am on Wednesday after a 15-hour halt. Schools and colleges also resumed after a break due to heavy rain.

On Tuesday evening, 782 passengers were successfully rescued when two overcrowded Monorail trains became stranded between stations on elevated tracks amid heavy downpour.

The Santacruz observatory, representing Mumbai’s western suburbs, recorded 200 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am Wednesday, according to IMD data.

Relentless rain over the previous days in parts of the state, including Mumbai and its metropolitan region, had disrupted normal life. Flooding forced hundreds to relocate for safety, damaging a wide area of crops. Officials reported a fatality when a man fell into a water-filled quarry, and an inundated bridge in the Kalyan region was closed following the persistent rain adjacent to Thane district. Palghar district experienced flooding in low-lying areas and disruption at multiple locations.